8137Skin 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
