Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Abdomen, ankle, axilla, back, breast, buttock, elbow, foot, hand, knee, shoulder, thigh, or wrist

Container/Tube: Container

Specimen Volume: Slide

Collection Instructions:

1. If using a frosted-end slide for collection, write patient’s name and medical record number (if available) on frosted end of slide. If not using a frosted-end slide, see directions below for proper labeling of container used to transport slides.
2. Using a magnifying glass, examine skin surface to find minute burrows of mites. A bright light will assist in visualizing tiny, dark speck (mite) at end of burrow.
3. Place a drop of mineral oil on area to be scraped. Scrape only non-inflamed openings and papules.
4. Hold skin taut. Using a sterile scalpel blade held perpendicular to skin, vigorously scrape area. Scraping may produce a small amount of blood, but this should be minimal.

Note: Eggs may be found in any portion of burrows, while adult mite is most frequently recovered from terminal parts of a fresh burrow.
5. Place material obtained from scrapings in center of clear area of microscope slide. Specimen from more than 1 site should be examined. Specimens from different sites can be placed in same location on 1 slide.
6. Place a second slide on top of slide containg scrapings, and tape slides together.
7. Label container with patient’s name, medical record number (inpatient), date of collection, source of specimen, and collector’s initials.
8. Place used scalpel blade(s) in a sharps container.

Additional Information: Specimen source is required.