A case of Pyemotes dermatitis

SUMMARY Acute dermatitis developed in a fisherman after contact with old cherry‐wood. A Pyemoies mite, probably P. beckeri , found in the wood, was thought to be responsible—thus illustrating the importance of appropriate laboratory examinations for ectoparasites. Human skin eruptions caused by indigenous, in contrast to imported, Pyemotes species have not previously been reported in Britain. These tarsonemoid mites attack small insect hosts and their possible role in dermatoses is discussed. Dermatitis caused by these mites is probably world‐wide in distribution, but during the last century the confusing acarologicat nomenclature surrounding Pyemotes has resulted in an equally confusing variety of dermatological diagnoses.