What does acariasis mean?
Acariasis is the medical and veterinary term for an infestation caused by mites. It is especially associated with scabies, the contagious skin condition produced by the itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei, although it can describe infestations involving other mites as well. The term is more precise and technical than the general phrase “mite infestation” and is most likely to appear in clinical, dermatological, or veterinary contexts. Symptoms vary according to the mite involved, but scabies typically produces intense itching, a rash, and small raised lesions. Acariasis is not itself a single disease, so its meaning depends on the mite and host involved. Knowing the word helps distinguish infestation by microscopic arthropods from infections caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi, all of which may produce similar skin symptoms but require different forms of diagnosis and treatment.
nounAn infestation with mites, especially an infestation by an itch mite that causes scabies.
- Infestation with mites, especially scabies caused by the itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei.
"The diagnosis was acariasis, and the patient was treated for scabies."
"The diagnosis was acariasis, and the patient was treated for scabies."
"The veterinarian treated the dog for acariasis after a skin scraping revealed mites."
The plural is grammatically standard but rarely needed in ordinary writing because discussion usually focuses on a particular form of mite infestation, especially scabies.
"The clinic reported several cases of acariases following an outbreak of scabies."
When the diagnosis is acariasis, the culprit is microscopic—but the itch can be anything but small.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
How acariasis is actually used
This is primarily a formal medical and veterinary term. In human medicine, it is often used to refer to scabies, while the broader term also covers infestation by other mites.
Easily confused with acariasis
Acariasis is the general term for infestation by mites, whereas scabies is the specific disease caused by the itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei.