The document discusses skin scraping as a diagnostic method for parasitic diseases, detailing two types: superficial and deep skin scraping. It outlines procedures for collection and examination, emphasizing the use of a scalpel, mineral oil, and techniques for extracting samples for microscopic analysis. Specific conditions where skin scraping is effective include various fungal and parasitic infections, particularly scabies, and it highlights the importance of using different techniques for accurate diagnosis.

1. University of Duhok
College of Medicine

2. Skin scraping for
diagnosis of
parasitic diseases
Prepared by:
Haidar Darweesh & Jamal Khrmsh
Supervisor:
Dr. Aleen Sardar AL-NOORI

3. What’s skin scraping ?
 Is the method in which we take affected
skin tissue that may contain infectious
microorganism by the surgical blade for
the purpose of diagnosis.
 There are 2 types of skin scraping:
1. Superficial skin scraping
2. Deep skin scraping

4. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF SKIN
SCRAPING COLLECTION AND
EXAMINATION
 scalpel blade or medical spatula is used.
 If the area to be scraped is covered with hair
then clip it.
 Put some mineral oil on the skin surface of
the area to be scraped .
 Hold the blade or spatula perpendicular to
the skin surface and scrape in the direction of
the hair.
 Transfer the sample to a drop or more of mineral oil
on a slide and be sure to wipe everything off the
blade onto the slide, And Spread it on the slide.

5. Procedure

6. Superficial skin scraping
 Scraping the skin superficially (don’t
cause bleeding of surface capillary).
 Superficial scrapings are used to examine
parasites that reside on or near the skin
surface such as Sarcoptic scabies.
 larger area of skin is needed, using
several strokes with mild to moderate
pressure. why?

7. Deep skin scraping
 Scrape with moderate pressure until
blood oozes from the superficial
capillaries
 Deep skin scrapings are used to examine
for parasites that reside in the hair
follicles(mainly)
 Squeeze the area to be scraped
to help extrude the mites from the
follicles to the surface

8. When skin scraping
can be used for
detection of diseases?
It can be used in several conditions:-
1) Fungal infections (e.g. Tenia Pedi's and Tenia
corporis).
2) Parasitic infections (e.g. scabies and lice …..etc.).
3) Yeast infection (candida and Tenia versicolor).

9. PARASITIC DISEASE IN WHICH SKIN
SCRAPIG IS EFFCTIVE FOR DIAGNOSIS
• Scabies caused by scabies (by identifying mites or eggs in
collected specimen)
• Positive test or not found result because negative result
doesn’t exclude scabies
• Can be done for diagnosis of cutaneous and mucocutaneous
lieshmaniasis also by detection of amastigoste by microscopy
or dermoscopy

10. • Basically there KOH for fungal and oil immersion for parasites,
because KOH dissolves kills and removes the skin cells
(keratinocytes)mucus and debris so it’s easy to identify the
organism
• While skin scraping with oily substance helps and aids in
immobilizing the parasite for easy detection and diagnosis.