Performing a Skin Scraping
Posted: Wednesday, October 11th, 2023 | Updated: Wednesday, October 11th, 2023
Posted: Wednesday, October 11th, 2023 | Updated: Wednesday, October 11th, 2023
Surface Level Sample Collection
Flea combs, stiff brushes, cotton swabs, and adhesive tape are methods used to obtain surface level samples. Lice, fleas, walking dandruff, and ear mites may be seen using these tactics. Examination of these samples may be completed sometimes macroscopically or at 4x to 10x magnification on the microscope. Fleas and ear mites are easily seen by mixing mineral oil with the collected material after having been placed onto a microscope slide and broken up. If using the tape method, apply the tape repeatedly to the skin, hair, or areas of interest and place the tape sticky side down onto the microscope slide and then evaluate
Superficial Skin Scraping Sample Collection
Dulled scalpel blades and mineral oil are often used to obtain superficial skin scrapings. Walking dandruff, ear mites, and burrowing mites may be seen using these tactics. Sarcoptes scabiei and Notoedres cati are two common burrowing mites. In order to obtain a sample, clip the hair at the area of interest if needed. Try not to disrupt the skin surface itself or any debris in the area. Apply a small amount of mineral oil to the site of interest on the patient as well as on the microscope slide. Gently scrape the scalpel blade against the patient's skin, making sure to cover a wide region. Transfer the debris obtained onto the prepared microscope slide and evaluate at 4x to 10x magnification. Multiple sites may need to be evaluated to lower the chances of a false-negative for scabies
Deep Skin Scraping Sample Collection
Dulled scalpel blades and mineral oil are used to obtain deep skin scrapings. Demodex mites may be seen using this method. Demodex live in the hair follicle and the sebaceous glands, hence, scraping down to the dermis is necessary for diagnosis. When capillary bleeding occurs, you will have scraped deep enough to have obtained a sample. Again, the hair may be clipped at the area of interest if needed. As stated before, try not to disrupt the skin surface itself or any debris in the area. Apply a small amount of mineral oil to the site of interest on the patient as well as on the microscope slide. Pinching the skin may help to encourage mites to migrate toward the surface. Holding the skin taught, begin scraping in the direction of hair growth applying downward pressure repeatedly. A red rash will form. Avoid getting too much blood with your sample. Transfer the sample to the prepared microscope slide and evaluate at 4x to 10x magnification. Another method that may be used in identifying demodex is known as the squeeze tape method. Pinch the site of interest by the hair follicle and apply tape to that area as you are pinching the skin. Do this multiple times and then evaluate the sample obtained on the tape microscopically at the 4x to 10x magnification
Flea combs, stiff brushes, cotton swabs, and adhesive tape are methods used to obtain surface level samples. Lice, fleas, walking dandruff, and ear mites may be seen using these tactics. Examination of these samples may be completed sometimes macroscopically or at 4x to 10x magnification on the microscope. Fleas and ear mites are easily seen by mixing mineral oil with the collected material after having been placed onto a microscope slide and broken up. If using the tape method, apply the tape repeatedly to the skin, hair, or areas of interest and place the tape sticky side down onto the microscope slide and then evaluate
Superficial Skin Scraping Sample Collection
Dulled scalpel blades and mineral oil are often used to obtain superficial skin scrapings. Walking dandruff, ear mites, and burrowing mites may be seen using these tactics. Sarcoptes scabiei and Notoedres cati are two common burrowing mites. In order to obtain a sample, clip the hair at the area of interest if needed. Try not to disrupt the skin surface itself or any debris in the area. Apply a small amount of mineral oil to the site of interest on the patient as well as on the microscope slide. Gently scrape the scalpel blade against the patient's skin, making sure to cover a wide region. Transfer the debris obtained onto the prepared microscope slide and evaluate at 4x to 10x magnification. Multiple sites may need to be evaluated to lower the chances of a false-negative for scabies
Deep Skin Scraping Sample Collection
Dulled scalpel blades and mineral oil are used to obtain deep skin scrapings. Demodex mites may be seen using this method. Demodex live in the hair follicle and the sebaceous glands, hence, scraping down to the dermis is necessary for diagnosis. When capillary bleeding occurs, you will have scraped deep enough to have obtained a sample. Again, the hair may be clipped at the area of interest if needed. As stated before, try not to disrupt the skin surface itself or any debris in the area. Apply a small amount of mineral oil to the site of interest on the patient as well as on the microscope slide. Pinching the skin may help to encourage mites to migrate toward the surface. Holding the skin taught, begin scraping in the direction of hair growth applying downward pressure repeatedly. A red rash will form. Avoid getting too much blood with your sample. Transfer the sample to the prepared microscope slide and evaluate at 4x to 10x magnification. Another method that may be used in identifying demodex is known as the squeeze tape method. Pinch the site of interest by the hair follicle and apply tape to that area as you are pinching the skin. Do this multiple times and then evaluate the sample obtained on the tape microscopically at the 4x to 10x magnification
Sources:
Anderson, Shilo. "Skin Scrapings for Identifying Parasites". Today's Veterinary Nurse. vol. 6, no. 4. Fall 2023. pp. 26-34.
Anderson, Shilo. "Skin Scrapings for Identifying Parasites". Today's Veterinary Nurse. vol. 6, no. 4. Fall 2023. pp. 26-34.