Ectoparasites are a taxonomically diverse group of organisms that infest the skin of human beings and other animals. Ectoparasitic arthropods and nematodes are similar in that an individual organism can produce skin lesions that are large enough to see with the unaided eye. Ectoparasitic infestations are often intensely itchy, causing considerable annoyance and discomfort. These conditions are often focally hyperendemic in impoverished communities, with a particularly high prevalence in vulnerable families, households, and neighborhoods.
Pediculosis (infestation by head and body lice) and scabies are found to some degree in all human populations, but myiasis (fly larva infestation), tungiasis (sand flea disease), and cutaneous larva migrans occur mainly in tropical and subtropical environments. Except for body lice, the organisms discussed in this article are not vectors of pathogenic microorganisms. In other words, most ectoparasites do not carry disease-causing agents; they are, instead, the direct cause of disease. Mortality is low, but the cumulative morbidity from the direct discomfort, secondary bacterial infections, and sequelae of those infestations and infections is considerable.
Despite the abundant presence of ectoparasitic infestations across human populations, biomedical science lacks firm evidence-based practices to reliably control these organisms. In addition, head lice and scabies are developing resistance to some chemical compounds employed to treat infested individuals, prevent spread, and control outbreaks.
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