In December 1973, a number of mites were collected from an old home in northern California (near Ingot, Shasta County) by Warren Amacker, Shasta County Sanitarian, where an 18-month-old boy was suffering from persistent dermatitis of the face and abdomen. The dermatitis had continued despite the use of medication prescribed by a physician. Some of the mites were collected from the boy by the parents. Additional mites were taken from a counter adjacent to the bathroom sink. The child was usually bathed on the counter.