Many insects, including flies, mosquitoes, gnats, ticks, and
mites can inhabit or irritate the skin. Some of these insects
carry diseases that they transmit to companion animals, causing
more illness than the insect bite or sting itself. Very
importantly, some of these insects can cause disease in human
beings. The pattern of itch from these insects can be
generalized or be highly specific to the feeding patterns of the
insect itself. And over time, symptoms that began with specific
patterns of itching can generalize as the skin worsens and,
especially, if secondary infections develop. Ectoparasite
identification can be easy or it can be challenging. A parasite
that resides on the skin may be found in large numbers (Demodex
mites) or in very small numbers (Sarcoptes mites). Or they can
be difficult to collect in samples for examination (Cheyletiella
mites). Dermatitis caused by a parasite that does not reside on
the skin, such as mosquitoes or gnats (Culicoides species), can
only be diagnosed by accurate hist