Parasitology, Microbiology and Infection Control

Skin Parasites

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A variety of invertebrates bite or feed on or in the human skin, including flies, fleas, bedbugs, lice, mites and ticks.With a few exceptions, including larvae of a few flies, scabies mites and hard ticks, all these parasites bite, feed quickly, and leave. All of these skin parasites leave tell tale signs, including itchy, round, red papules (swellings). The majority of the bites last about two weeks if left alone. If scratched (something that is hard to resist) the itchiness and swellings could last up to two months. In addition, human fingernails are loaded with bacteria and scratching often leads to infections.