[Parasitic pruritus: bird mite zoonosis].

In three women with persistent pruritus, aged 49, 28 and 4 years, infestation with the bird or chicken mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) was demonstrated. These mites live in narrow openings and cracks close to the bird housing during the daytime. At night they attack the birds on whose blood they live. When their host disappears, they may attack men, notably when their breeding places are in or near houses. Mite bites result in urticarial and itchy papulovesicular skin eruptions. Treatment of bird mite infestation consists of removing the old nests. Treatment of the patients is symptomatic. Epizoonosis belongs in the differential diagnosis of pruritus; infestation with bird or chicken mites is one of the possibilities.