Which parasite is known for causing intense itching and pruritus due to skin burrows?

Which parasite is known for causing intense itching and pruritus due to skin burrows?

• A. Toxoplasma gondii
• B. Sarcoptes scabiei
• C. Pediculus humanus
• D. Giardia lamblia

Answer: (B)

Intense itching with skin burrows points to an infestation by the human itch mite. These mites burrow into the outermost skin layer (the stratum corneum) and lay eggs there. The body’s immune response to mite antigens triggers the severe pruritus, which is often worse at night. The burrows themselves appear as thin, serpiginous tracks in typical sites like the finger webs and other skin folds. Transmission occurs through close personal contact. Other organisms listed don’t produce those skin burrows or the same itching pattern: Toxoplasma gondii causes toxoplasmosis with tissue cysts, not pruritus from skin burrows; Giardia lamblia causes gastrointestinal illness; Pediculus humanus (body louse) causes itching from bites but not the distinctive burrows in the skin.

Intense itching with skin burrows points to an infestation by the human itch mite. These mites burrow into the outermost skin layer (the stratum corneum) and lay eggs there. The body’s immune response to mite antigens triggers the severe pruritus, which is often worse at night. The burrows themselves appear as thin, serpiginous tracks in typical sites like the finger webs and other skin folds. Transmission occurs through close personal contact.

Other organisms listed don’t produce those skin burrows or the same itching pattern: Toxoplasma gondii causes toxoplasmosis with tissue cysts, not pruritus from skin burrows; Giardia lamblia causes gastrointestinal illness; Pediculus humanus (body louse) causes itching from bites but not the distinctive burrows in the skin.