How can one catch a scabies mite? - briefly
Acquisition occurs through prolonged skin‑to‑skin contact with an infected individual or by sharing contaminated clothing, bedding, or towels, as the mite can survive off the host for up to 48 hours. The mite crawls and attaches to the outer skin layer, enabling transmission during close contact.
How can one catch a scabies mite? - in detail
Collecting a scabies mite requires a systematic approach that preserves the organism for microscopic identification. The process begins with patient preparation, followed by sample acquisition, preservation, and laboratory examination.
First, obtain informed consent and confirm the presence of characteristic burrows or lesions. Clean the area with an antiseptic solution to reduce surface contaminants, then allow the skin to dry completely.
Sample acquisition can be performed by one of the following methods:
- Skin scraping – Use a sterile scalpel blade or curette to gently scrape the margin of a burrow or papule. Apply firm pressure to obtain a thin layer of epidermal material. Transfer the material onto a glass slide with a drop of mineral oil.
- Adhesive tape test – Press a piece of clear adhesive tape (e.g., medical-grade or cellophane) onto the lesion for several seconds. Peel the tape off and affix it to a microscope slide. The tape captures mites, eggs, and fecal pellets.
- Dermatoscopic examination – Employ a handheld dermatoscope to visualize the mite within the burrow. Mark the location and subsequently perform a scraping or tape collection at that site.
- Burrow excision – For deep or extensive burrows, excise a small segment with a sterile punch biopsy instrument (2–3 mm). Place the tissue in a sealed container with saline.
After collection, preserve the specimen:
- Add a few drops of 70 % ethanol to the slide or container to immobilize the mite without distorting morphology.
- Label the sample with patient identifier, anatomical site, date, and collection method.
- Store at 4 °C if analysis will be delayed beyond 24 hours.
Laboratory examination proceeds with a light microscope at 100–400× magnification. Identify the adult female mite by its characteristic oval body, six pairs of legs, and dorsal striations. Confirm diagnosis by detecting eggs or fecal pellets in the same field.
Safety considerations include wearing gloves, disposing of contaminated materials in biohazard containers, and sterilizing instruments after each use. Repeat sampling from multiple sites increases diagnostic yield, especially in atypical presentations.
By adhering to these steps, clinicians can reliably capture scabies mites for definitive microscopic confirmation.