The life cycle of scabies mites involves several stages, including egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Here is a detailed description of each stage:
1. Egg: The female scabies mite burrows into the top layer of the skin and lays eggs. These eggs are small, oval-shaped, and transparent. Each female mite can lay around 2-3 eggs per day.
2. Larva: After a few days, the eggs hatch into larvae. These larvae are tiny and have six legs. They move out of the burrow and spread across the skin surface, looking for a suitable place to molt into the next stage.
3. Nymph: Once the larvae find a suitable spot, they molt into nymphs. Nymphs have eight legs and are slightly larger than the larvae. They continue to move on the skin surface, feeding on skin cells and fluids.
4. Adult: After a few days, the nymphs molt into adult mites. Adult scabies mites are round-shaped, have eight legs, and are barely visible to the naked eye. The males and females mate on the skin surface, and the females then burrow into the skin to lay eggs, starting the cycle again.
The entire life cycle of scabies mites takes about 2-3 weeks. The symptoms of scabies, such as itching and rash, are caused by the mites burrowing into the skin and the body's allergic reaction to their presence. Scabies is highly contagious and can spread through close personal contact or by sharing contaminated items such as clothing or bedding.