RVC WebsiteVetschools Website Help

Skin Scraping

Skin scraping is a bedrock technique in dermatology that is applied in a high proportion of cases.

   
 
  • It enables both the full thickness of the epidermis and the contents of the hair follicles to be sampled
  • It is most commonly used in the diagnosis of parasitic infestations such as sarcoptic mange, cheyletiellosis and demodicosis
  • Generally several sites are sampled. Mites can be very difficult to find in some cases
 

Scalpel blade No. 22
Click to zoom

Choose a large blade to facilitate handling

   

Sites showing evidence of surface or follicular pathology are selected.

Materials are prepared for carrying out the scraping and mounting the collected specimens.

Preparing equipment (966Kb)

The skin sites are prepared for scraping, the scrapings are collected and the scraped sites are cleaned with surgical spirit.

Preparing the skin (431Kb)

Scraping and mounting (642Kb)

 
<<Prev  
Diagnostic Tests
Introduction
Immediate Tests
Microscopy
Coat Brushings
Hair Plucking
Skin Scraping
Tape Stripping
Wood's Lamp
Smears
Staining
Delayed Tests
Culture
Biopsy
Allergy Test
Techniques Quiz
 
Course Map
Introduction
History
Examination
Diagnostic Plan
Skin Lesions
Diagnostic Tests
Therapy in Diagnosis
Summary
 
Resources
Glossary
Clinical Record Form (pdf)
History Algorithm
 Examination Algorithm