How to look at a scabies mite? - briefly
Examine a skin scraping under a light microscope at 10–40 × magnification, focusing on the characteristic oval body, four pairs of short legs, and the ventral genital opening. Use oil immersion or a digital camera attachment for enhanced clarity and accurate identification.
How to look at a scabies mite? - in detail
Observing the mite that causes scabies requires a systematic approach to obtain reliable visual data. Begin with patient preparation: clean the suspected area with mild antiseptic, then apply a topical anesthetic if needed to reduce discomfort during sampling.
Collect a skin sample using a sterile scalpel or a fine curette. Perform a shallow scraping at the edge of a burrow, aiming for the superficial epidermis where the organism resides. Transfer the material onto a glass slide, add a drop of mineral oil or lactophenol cotton blue, and cover with a coverslip.
Examine the slide under a light microscope. Use a magnification of at least 100 × for initial screening; increase to 400 × or 500 × to confirm morphology. The adult female appears as an oval body measuring 0.3–0.4 mm, with four pairs of legs and a ventral genital opening. Males are smaller, 0.2–0.3 mm, with a distinct anterior gnathosoma. Eggs are ovoid, 0.1 mm, often seen within the female’s uterus.
If microscopy is unavailable, a dermatoscope can reveal characteristic burrow patterns. Look for a thin, serpentine line ending in a small, dark dot, which represents the mite’s anterior end. High‑resolution digital dermoscopy permits image capture for later analysis.
For definitive identification, consider confocal laser scanning microscopy. This technique provides three‑dimensional images of the mite within the epidermal layers, allowing observation of internal structures such as the digestive tract and reproductive organs.
Document findings with clear photographs, annotate key features, and compare with reference images from reputable parasitology atlases. Store slides in a labeled, sealed container for future reference or legal documentation.
Follow biosafety protocols throughout: wear gloves, dispose of contaminated materials in biohazard containers, and sterilize instruments after each use.