How is a scraping performed for a scabies mite? - briefly
A skin scraping is performed by placing a drop of mineral oil on the affected site, then gently scraping the stratum corneum with a sterile scalpel blade to collect debris onto a glass slide. The slide is examined under low‑power microscopy to detect Sarcoptes scabiei mites, eggs, or fecal pellets.
How is a scraping performed for a scabies mite? - in detail
A skin scraping is obtained by applying a sterile scalpel blade or a disposable dermal curette to the affected area, typically where burrows, papules, or intense itching are present. The clinician first cleans the site with an antiseptic solution, allowing the skin to dry to improve adhesion of the specimen.
The procedure proceeds as follows:
- Preparation – Wear gloves, mask, and protective eyewear. Have a sterile scalpel (size 10 – 15 mm blade) or a curette, a glass slide, a drop of mineral oil, and a covering cover slip ready.
- Application of oil – Place a single drop of mineral oil on the slide; the oil reduces surface tension, spreads the material, and preserves mite morphology.
- Scraping – Hold the blade at a shallow angle (approximately 10‑15°) and press firmly enough to lift the superficial epidermis without causing deep injury. Perform 5‑10 short strokes while moving across the lesion, collecting the detached stratum corneum.
- Transfer – Immediately transfer the collected material onto the oil‑coated slide. Spread the sample evenly with the blade or a sterile spatula.
- Covering – Place a cover slip over the specimen, avoiding air bubbles. Seal the edges with nail varnish if prolonged observation is required.
- Microscopy – Examine the slide under light microscopy at 10×–40× magnification. Identify adult mites (≈ 0.3 mm), eggs, or fecal pellets. The presence of a mite or its products confirms infestation.
- Documentation – Record the findings, anatomical site, and any observed mite stages. Dispose of all contaminated materials according to biohazard protocols.
Proper technique ensures sufficient material for accurate detection while minimizing patient discomfort and preserving diagnostic integrity.