I believed it. He said they were alive. There are a few organisms that cause skin problems for people.
Ticks attach to the skin and take blood meals from people droping off when they are engorged.
Certain species of mites, animals that are arachnids like spiders, bite people. The scabies mite, actually burrows into the skin where it lays its eggs. There is a species of scabies mite that is specific to humans. The reaction to its burrowing into the skin can be intense itching and a rash. If you would like to know more about skin problems associated with creatures that bite or infest the skin the following web sites should be of interest to you.