What's Eating You? Tropical Rat Mite (Ornithonyssus bacoti)

The tropical rat mite (Ornithonyssus bacoti) commonly infests wild and pet rodents, but they are not host specific. Bodily contact with wild or domesticated rodents is the most common source of infestation. Mites can live off many mammal hosts for a long period of time; therefore, living in quarters infested by mice can lead to mite exposure. Human infestation presents as urticarial, pruritic, cutaneous lesions that may be misdiagnosed as an arthropod bite, an infection, or contact dermatitis. Symptomatic relief of pruritus can be provided with a topical corticosteroid or antihistamine. The most effective treatment is an antiparasitic, such as permethrin cream, as well as extermination of rodents, mites, and any other pests in the patient's living space.