Mites, often unseen and misunderstood, are tiny creatures that can significantly impact our lives, sometimes even causing that unsettling feeling of your skin crawling. While the specific keyword “Why Does Multiple Holes Make My Skin Crawl” might lead you to think about trypophobia, the sensation of skin crawling is indeed a common reaction when considering mites, even though mites themselves are not holes. This article, drawing from reliable sources, delves into the world of mites, exploring why these minuscule arthropods can evoke such a visceral response and what you need to know about their presence in our environment.
What Exactly Are Mites?
The term “mite” encompasses a vast group of organisms, relatives of ticks, and like insects in appearance, though technically arachnids. These creatures undergo a four-stage life cycle: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Interestingly, in their larval stage, they only have six legs, gaining eight legs in their nymph and adult forms. The sheer diversity of mites is astounding, with nearly as many types as there are insects.
Most mite species live their lives without ever crossing paths with humans. They occupy various ecological niches – some are parasites of animals and plants, others are scavengers, and many are predators of other insects and arthropods. However, the few mite species that do interact with humans can have noticeable effects on our health and well-being.
The “Invisible” Irritation: Real or Imagined?
It’s crucial to distinguish between genuine mite-related issues and irritations that might be attributed to mites but have other causes. Often, people experience sensations of biting or “attacks” by invisible arthropods when no mites are actually present. These irritations can be very real, stemming from mechanical or chemical irritants in the environment. In some cases, the sensation might even be psychosomatic, originating from a psychological disorder.
However, mites do cause real and tangible health impacts. While they rarely transmit diseases in regions like the United States, their presence can range from a minor nuisance to a source of significant skin irritation and intense itching. The feeling of “skin crawling” often arises from this irritation, the idea of tiny creatures moving on or under the skin, and the sometimes-invisible nature of the problem.
Common Mites That Affect Humans
Let’s explore some of the mites most frequently encountered and known to affect human health:
Clover Mites (Bryobia spp.)
Clover mites are known for their habit of invading homes and buildings in large numbers, often causing alarm. While they don’t bite or pose direct health risks, they can be quite bothersome. Crushing them leaves unsightly red stains on carpets and drapery. These mites can be red, green, or brown and are identifiable by their elongated front legs, which are about twice as long as their other legs.
Their diet consists of clover, ivy, grasses, fruit trees, and other plants, with well-fertilized lawns being particularly attractive to them. Clover mites seek shelter indoors when their food sources diminish or dry up, typically in the fall as temperatures drop, during molting, and when laying eggs. Remarkably, all clover mites are female and can reproduce without fertilization.
House Dust Mites (Dermatophagoides spp.)
House dust mites are microscopic creatures, invisible to the naked eye, yet they are a significant presence in our homes. They, along with their fecal matter, are potent indoor allergens, becoming airborne and contributing to “house dust” allergies. In fact, many people diagnosed with “house dust” allergies are actually allergic to these mites and their waste products. Dust mites and cockroaches are also linked to triggering asthma attacks.
Unlike some other mites, dust mites rarely cause skin irritation directly. They don’t live on humans but feed primarily on dander – the dead skin flakes shed by people and animals. Upholstered furniture, pillows, and mattresses are prime habitats for dust mites, often harboring more of them than carpets.
Itch Mites (Pyemotes spp.)
Itch mites are predators of insects. One notable species, the straw itch mite (P. tritici), infests stored products. Humans get bitten when they come into contact with straw, hay, grasses, leaves, seeds, or similar materials where these mites reside. Another species (P. herfsi) targets insects in sheltered locations, such as midge larvae in leaf galls and cicada eggs under tree bark. When they can’t find their insect prey, itch mites may turn to other animals, including humans.
You won’t see the mites or feel the bite initially, but itchy red marks, resembling a rash, will appear later. Outbreaks of itch mites can lead to numerous bites. Fortunately, they can’t live on humans, don’t survive indoors, and are not known to transmit diseases.
Rodent and Bird Mites (Various Species)
Rodent and bird mites are opportunistic biters of humans, often turning to us when their primary hosts die or abandon their nests. Several rodent mites are known to bite humans, including the house mouse mite (Liponyssoides saguineus), spiny rat mite (Laelaps echidnina), and tropical rat mite (Ornithonyssus bacoti). The house mouse mite prefers mice but will bite rats and humans, often causing a rash around the bite area, and favors warm spots where rodents live. The spiny rat mite feeds on rats at night and hides during the day. The tropical rat mite’s bite is particularly painful, causing skin irritation and itching.
Bird mites, such as the northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) and chicken mite (Dermanyssus gallinae), primarily infest birds like chickens, pigeons, starlings, and sparrows, but will also bite humans. Chicken mites hide in crevices near bird nests during the day and feed at night, while northern fowl mites can only survive off their host for a limited time. Cheyletiella mites can infest both birds and mammals, sometimes preying on other mites on their host’s skin. They can cause skin issues in pets and itching in people who handle infested animals but don’t typically stay on humans for long.
Chiggers (Eutrombicula spp.)
Chiggers, in their larval stage, are notorious for biting humans, as well as other mammals, birds, and reptiles. The nymph and adult stages are predators of insects. These larvae, often red to yellow and barely visible specks, are the culprits behind intensely itchy bites. They detect carbon dioxide from exhaled breath, climb onto vegetation or soil, and wave their front legs to latch onto a host.
Chiggers don’t suck blood; instead, they cut into the skin, inject saliva that digests skin cells, and then consume the liquefied tissue. If undisturbed, they can feed for several days. The bite site becomes inflamed, hardens, and itches intensely. Chiggers live primarily in soil cracks, commonly found in rural, less disturbed areas, and can persist in soil even in new residential developments.
Scabies Mites (Sarcoptes scabiei)
Sarcoptes scabiei mites are the cause of scabies, a highly contagious skin condition in mammals, including humans. Human infestations typically result from direct person-to-person contact. While animal scabies mites can transfer to humans and vice versa, different scabies mite types prefer specific host species. In dogs, scabies mites cause mange.
Scabies mites are unique because they burrow into the skin, creating tunnels up to a centimeter long just beneath the surface. They lay eggs within these tunnels and feed on skin and secretions. Their entire life cycle (about 10-17 days for human-infesting scabies mites) is spent on a host, and they only survive a few days without one. A scabies infestation can initially go unnoticed for over a month, but eventually, it leads to severe irritation and intense itching, particularly at night.
Managing Mites and Reducing Skin Crawling Sensations
The first step in dealing with potential mite problems is accurate identification. Inspect your surroundings and, if possible, identify any organisms you find. Mites are tiny, and some require magnification to see, making identification challenging. Understanding the different habits of mites that affect humans is crucial for effective management.
If you suspect mites are causing skin irritation, seeking medical advice is essential, especially for scabies, which requires specific medication. For scabies infestations, regularly washing bedding and clothing is also important.
When mites are identified, appropriate control measures can be implemented. Vacuuming is a valuable tool for managing many mite types, including clover mites, rodent and bird mites. It can be less effective but still helpful for food mites, straw itch mites, and dust mites. Note that duct cleaning is not typically recommended for dust mite control. However, HEPA filters can help reduce airborne allergens, including dust mite particles.
Moisture control is another key aspect. Mites are susceptible to dehydration in low humidity environments. Maintaining a relative humidity below 50 percent can significantly reduce dust mite populations. Conversely, high humidity can lead to rapid population increases. Well-ventilated homes in dry climates generally have fewer dust mites.
For dust mites specifically, products containing benzyl benzoate and abrasive dust formulations may offer some control when applied to floors and coverings. Regular cleaning of bedding, draperies, floor coverings, and furniture is important. Pillows, mattresses, and upholstered furniture can be encased in plastic covers or discarded to minimize dust mite infestations and allergens.
Exclusion methods are effective against clover mites. Seal entry points around foundations, doors, windows, vents, and utility lines to prevent them from entering buildings. Maintaining a plant-free border around foundations and reducing lawn fertilization can also deter clover mites.
Pesticides labeled as miticides or acaricides can be used against clover mites and chiggers in grassy areas. For chigger prevention, insect repellents with 7% to 30% DEET are recommended. After potential chigger exposure, a hot, soapy bath or shower can dislodge any attached mites.
Important Note: Always follow product label directions when using pesticides.
For further information, you can contact your local Department of Public Health.
Illustrations courtesy of Ohio State University, Texas A&M University, University of Missouri, and University of Kentucky.
