Worried about my hamster!

[Chappy]

So I have a dwarf hamster named Patrice and hes around 1.5 years old now, and over the past month or 2 I have noticed on his belly near his front 2 legs he has a scabby patch and maybe baldness where it looks like hes over scratched? I'm not sure if this is over scratching or if it could be mites? I've thoroughly checked him and I couldn't see any black dots on him? Also, sometimes in the evening, when he's grooming himself, he makes an aggressive screaching noise as if he's hurting himself, Im not really sure though! Would be great to get some feedback if anyone else has had this before.

[cypher]

You won't see mites, they're not black & some mites live under the skin, this is totally normal for them but the mites can get out of control usually if they are stressed or if something is undermining their immune function, other mites can come in from things like hay, wood or other natural materials.
Only your vet can really say for sure if he has mites or not, it sounds as though it's bothering him whatever it is so a vet check would be good anyway.
Not to replace a vet check or whatever the vet might suggest but you could try giving extra flax seeds, evening primrose oil, they only need about half a drop so I mix it with some dry oats, keep the mix in the fridge & just give a tiny amount daily, nutritional yeast can be given too, all of these will help with general coat & skin condition.

[Thin Lizzy]

Make appointment with the vet, they'll be able to examine him close up and if it is mites, they will suggest injections, these can be in a set of 3 with 10 days inbetween each injection. When the hammy is older, it can take longer to get rid of them.