Specimen Collection and Handling

Scabies Collection Instructions:

     In adults, the areas most likely to yield mites are between the fingers, sides of hands, flexural wrists, elbows, axillae, groin, breasts, and feet. Sites on the palms, soles, or torso offer the highest yield in children.

     Perform scrapings on skin lesions in multiple sites; burrows or erythematous papules are ideal.  Place a small amount of mineral oil on the site to aid in removal of mites.  Use a glass slide to vigorously scrape across the surface of the lesion sufficiently to remove a portion of the epidermis without inducing significant bleeding.  A 3 mm disposable curette is an alternative tool that may be helpful for performing a scraping on children.  Tape another slide over the first slide to contain the specimen.  Place the glass slides into a specimen container (the stool collection container works well) for transport to the laboratory.

     A scabies preparation can also be performed using clear packing tape rather than a glass slide.  Apply the tape firmly to a skin lesion and then rapidly pull it off. Apply the tape to a glass slide.  The packing tape procedure may be useful in children who cannot tolerate skin scrapings.