# Can Mites Kill Humans? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 30, 2017, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-mites-kill-humans/800207 "2017-10-30T04:11:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2017, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-mites-kill-humans/800207/41 "2017-10-31T09:12:55Z")
Still reading. Could these be Demodex Mites? I forgot to mention I had some on my eyelashes and eyebrows. I know. I need to chill, right? But take a look anyway, just for S&G’s. [https://www.xojane.com/it-happened-to-me/hair-scalp-mites](https://www.xojane.com/it-happened-to-me/hair-scalp-mites) Q ---
**Author:** ![Plumpudding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Plumpudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plumpudding)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2017, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-mites-kill-humans/800207/42 "2017-10-31T10:17:56Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > My vet friend can at least identify the specimens I saved. THOSE are real. I wouldn’t waste everyone’s time and efforts to help me if this were all delusional. Hang in there with me, please. Don’t write me off yet. Not writing you off. 🙂 But don’t forget, in case a dermatologist can’t give you a diagnosis, okay? It’s important to cover all bases, as embarrassing and painful as it may be. It surely has to be less embarrassing and painful than what you’re experiencing now. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2017, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-mites-kill-humans/800207/43 "2017-10-31T12:33:38Z")
I’ll take delusuions over this s\*\*\* any day, **Plummie**. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2017, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-mites-kill-humans/800207/44 "2017-10-31T13:42:35Z")
> [@Plumpudding](#): > > I’ve been reading along for a while, not really knowing what to say. But I second this post. Get a second diagnosis from a dermatologist ASAP. > > As someone who has been through a delusional psychosis (not otherwise specified), I know exactly how real they are for the person suffering from it (or in my case, not suffering, in spite of it almost ruining my life). If scabies or any other dermatological condition is ruled out, I would urge you to seek out psychiatric help as soon as possible, if only to get a second opinion on the diagnosis of delusional parasitosis. If it is a psychosis the longer you go without help, the worse it gets. > > But, I am not a doctor. > PS: I don’t think visiting a vet will help… > > Best wishes, I hope things will get better. I’m with **Plumpudding** on this. I worry you’re going to really start injuring yourself, **Quasi** , by scratching, clawing or otherwise harming yourself with wild home remedies over something delusional. Bugs/parasites just do not manifest themselves that way. AT ALL. Find some help, **Quasi**. Good luck to you and your family. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2017, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-mites-kill-humans/800207/45 "2017-10-31T14:11:42Z")
… have I written I have specimens??? Going to unsubscribe. Sorry, but y’all won’t even _consider_ I’m infested and contagious. My vet friends name Is [info removed by Asimovian]. Wait until 11:30 or so and call her. Q ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2017, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-mites-kill-humans/800207/46 "2017-10-31T14:22:32Z")
Obviously if you have specimens of the parasites take them to the doctor when you go. The concern people are having is that the treatments you’re giving yourself for your problem could actually be the cause of most of the symptoms. If you’re applying harsh chemicals to your skin to get rid of the bugs, the rash and itches and pain could be due to the chemicals. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2017, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-mites-kill-humans/800207/47 "2017-10-31T15:13:47Z")
It’s futile to argue the diagnosis here. It will not be productive in this case. **Quasi** is aware he has dementia and also intractable itch along with other signs and symptoms of parasitosis, both delusional and standard. And he’s been advised to stop all non-comfort treatments as he waits for a second dermatology visit. ---
**Author:** ![Plumpudding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Plumpudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plumpudding)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2017, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-mites-kill-humans/800207/48 "2017-10-31T15:52:16Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > … have I written I have specimens??? > > Going to unsubscribe. Sorry, but y’all won’t even _consider_ I’m infested and contagious. > > My vet friends name Is [removed by Asimovian]. Wait until 11:30 or so and call her. > > Q No, I am considering that. I am also considering other explanations, in part because I know how powerful a psychosis can be, how real they feel, and how difficult it is to realize a delusion as a delusion. I am not making a judgment either way, since I’m not in your presence and I’m specifically _not_ trying to give a diagnosis, since I’m not a doctor. Which is why I urge you to see one again. Sorry if I gave you another impression. > [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > **It’s futile to argue the diagnosis here. It will not be productive in this case.** > > **Quasi** is aware he has dementia and also intractable itch along with other signs and symptoms of parasitosis, both delusional and standard. And he’s been advised to stop all non-comfort treatments as he waits for a second dermatology visit. My bold: I agree. Going to a medical professional who is able to give a thorough examination, is the only productive course of action, IMO. And again, Quasi, I wish you all the best. Sorry if I came with unwanted or unwarranted (or both) suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2017, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-mites-kill-humans/800207/49 "2017-10-31T16:45:18Z")
Not a doctor, but I have read several threads online from people suffering from delusional parasitosis or another similar syndrome I will not name (so as to avoid giving anyone something to fixate on). In all such conversations I have seen, the sufferer doggedly insists that the issue is real and evidence-based, and that no one else believes in it or is able to help. It seems almost characteristic of the problem. If it’s real and you do in fact have _inch-long parasites in large numbers_, a mental health professional would easily be able to verify that and send you to the correct kind of help very quickly. So it wouldn’t hurt to make an appointment with someone in the mental health field. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2017, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-mites-kill-humans/800207/50 "2017-10-31T17:57:09Z")
Quasi, my new friend, please go to the dermatologist for me, if not for yourself, don’t leave that office til they have a diagnosis, They can send your specimens to a lab while you wait. They can scrape your skin and look in a microscope, vets do it, so I assume docs can do it. Please don’t unsubscribe. I want to know you’ve gotten help!! ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2017, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-mites-kill-humans/800207/51 "2017-10-31T18:02:04Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > They can scrape your skin and look in a microscope, vets do it, so I assume docs can do it. I can confirm via experience that skin scraping is something human-centered dermatologists do. ---
**Author:** ![Whiskey\_Dickens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9fc348/32.png) [@Whiskey\_Dickens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey_Dickens)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2017, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-mites-kill-humans/800207/52 "2017-10-31T18:12:40Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Quasi, my new friend, please go to the dermatologist for me, if not for yourself, don’t leave that office til they have a diagnosis, They can send your specimens to a lab while you wait. They can scrape your skin and look in a microscope, vets do it, so I assume docs can do it. Please don’t unsubscribe. I want to know you’ve gotten help!! Are we reading the same thread? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2017, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-mites-kill-humans/800207/53 "2017-10-31T18:43:11Z")
**Quasi** , whatever’s going on, I hope you get relief soon. I’m sorry this is happening to you. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2017, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-mites-kill-humans/800207/54 "2017-10-31T18:46:35Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > … have I written I have specimens??? > > Going to unsubscribe. Sorry, but y’all won’t even _consider_ I’m infested and contagious. > > My vet friends name Is [info removed by Asimovian]. Wait until 11:30 or so and call her. > > Q Quasimodem, I hope you’re able to get a proper resolution to what you’re dealing with. But I think there are any number of potential problems with publicly encouraging folks to contact your friend (and identifying said friend). In the interest of that individual’s privacy (and yours), I’ve removed that information from your post. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2017, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-mites-kill-humans/800207/55 "2017-10-31T20:13:42Z")
> [@Whiskey\_Dickens](#): > > Are we reading the same thread? 😕 Uh, yes, I believe we are! ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2017, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-mites-kill-humans/800207/56 "2017-11-01T03:22:25Z")
Quasimodem, I would also urge you to see a psychiatrist. Both my mother and a close friend were told their health problems were psychological, and in both cases, it was the psychiatrist who convinced other medical professionals to keep looking. My mother would have died without that intervention. (She stopped breathing. It was ultimately diagnosed as myasthenia.) Whether or not your parasites are delusional, a good psychiatrist can help you with them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-mites-kill-humans/800207.md?page=2)