8137 Skin Scraping for Scabies

Specimen Type Specimen Stability Reference Range
Skin scrapings 24 hours room temperature or refrigerated See Report

Specimen Requirements

Submit scrapings between two microscope slides rubber-banded together and placed in screw-cap tube or plastic vial.
Specimen Type:Skin scrapings

Method

Microscopic Examination

Schedule

Monday – Friday

Clinical Utility

Diagnosis of a scabies infestation usually is made based upon the customary appearance and distribution of the rash and the presence of burrows. Whenever possible, the diagnosis of scabies should be confirmed by identifying the mite or mite eggs or fecal matter (scybala). This can be done by carefully removing the mite from the end of its burrow by obtaining a skin scraping to examine under a microscope for mites, eggs or mite fecal matter.

CPT Codes

87220