How to determine if you have a skin mite? - briefly
Check for persistent itching, tiny red papules, and visible specks or burrows on the skin. A dermatologist can confirm the presence of mites by microscopic examination of skin scrapings.
How to determine if you have a skin mite? - in detail
Skin mite infestations present with specific clinical signs that differentiate them from other dermatological conditions. Primary indicators include intense itching, especially at night, and the appearance of small, erythematous papules or vesicles concentrated on the wrists, elbows, waistline, and genital region. In many cases, a thin, white, thread‑like line—known as a burrow—can be seen extending from the surface of the skin, often measuring 1–10 mm in length.
Diagnostic procedures begin with a thorough physical examination. Physicians commonly employ a dermatoscope or magnifying lens to enhance visualization of burrows and the mites themselves, which measure 0.2–0.4 mm. When visual confirmation is difficult, the following steps are recommended:
- Skin scraping – a sterile blade collects superficial layers; the sample is examined under a microscope at 100×–400× magnification to reveal mites, eggs, or fecal pellets.
- Adhesive tape test – clear medical tape applied to the lesion surface captures mites; the tape is then placed on a slide for microscopic analysis.
- Skin biopsy – a punch biopsy provides tissue for histopathological assessment, useful when atypical lesions or secondary infection obscure diagnosis.
- Molecular techniques – polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays detect mite DNA in scrapings, offering high specificity in ambiguous cases.
Laboratory confirmation should be supplemented by patient history. Recurrent outbreaks, close contact with infested individuals, and exposure to crowded living conditions raise the pre‑test probability of infestation. Absence of response to conventional anti‑fungal or antibacterial therapies further supports a mite‑related etiology.
When a diagnosis is established, treatment protocols involve topical scabicides (e.g., permethrin 5 % cream) applied to the entire body from the neck down, left on the skin for 8–14 hours, and repeated after 24 hours. Oral ivermectin, dosed at 200 µg/kg, may be prescribed for severe or refractory cases, typically administered in two doses spaced one week apart. All close contacts should receive simultaneous therapy to prevent reinfestation.
Follow‑up assessment after two weeks should confirm eradication: the disappearance of itching, resolution of lesions, and negative microscopic findings. Persistent symptoms warrant repeat scraping or alternative therapeutic measures.