A mite or organism that feeds on skin or skin debris, particularly the dust mite that commonly lives in household environments.
From Greek 'derma' (skin) + 'phagos' (eater), coined in the late 1800s to describe organisms observed feeding on skin cells under microscopes.
The common house dust mite (Dermatophagus pteronyssinus) lives in your pillows and mattresses by the millions, eating shed skin cells—you're literally supporting a civilization of skin-eaters every time you sleep!
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