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Demodecosis scraping
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025

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A demodicosis scraping can confirm/refute the presence of this disease. Demodicosis is a skin lesion caused by a microscopic mite. The "parasite" lives in the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. That is why its main "habitat" is the eyelids and the area above the eyebrows. The skin of the face and nasolabial folds are significantly affected. The external auditory apparatus is often affected. In order for the disease to penetrate into the deep layers, it is enough to simply wait for the moment when the immune system is significantly weakened. This is immediately followed by an inflammatory process.
Indications for scraping
The indications for scraping are determined by the attending physician. There are many reasons why the analysis should be carried out. So, the analysis is carried out in the presence of clinical symptoms that indicate the presence of demodicosis. Such scraping is mandatory when a child enters preschool institutions. When registering for a swimming section, as well as entering a new workplace, this analysis cannot be done without. It is especially important for future employees of medical institutions, as well as for people applying for health resort cards.
It is worth going for a test if you find pimples, acne, rosacea, ulcers and pustules on your face. This may not be an ordinary rash, but the presence of a subcutaneous mite. Moreover, it is worth paying attention to this if the problems persist for a long time. Especially if the affected areas are the back, chest, face and even thighs.
The risk of "getting sick" remains in people with oily skin. Therefore, they need to take tests. A similar procedure awaits people with bumpy skin. With a severe tick infestation, the nose changes shape and becomes like a plum. Itching, slight tickling, a crawling sensation - all this should prompt a person to visit a medical institution. With all the symptoms described above, it is worth doing a scraping.
How is scraping for demodicosis performed?
Many people are interested in the question of how to scrape for demodicosis? The most reliable diagnostic method today is to identify parasites using scraping. As a result, the presence or absence of a tick is determined.
To do this, it is enough to take a skin scraping or examine the eyelashes. Demodex folliculorum necessarily requires examination of the eyelashes, because this is where the tick's favorite place of dislocation is located. A piece of skin is scraped off from each affected area using a scalpel. This is a painless procedure that only causes slight discomfort. The resulting sample is placed on a glass slide and a few drops of 102% alkali solution are added there. After that, a study is carried out under a microscope and the ticks are identified. A person receives the result immediately or after 4 hours.
The scraping is taken in the morning hours, preferably between 9 and 12. At this time, the tick likes to hide from the sun in the shallow layers of the skin, and these are the ones that are taken for testing.
Scraping for demodicosis in humans
A scraping for demodicosis in humans is carried out in a specialized clinic in the morning. Thanks to this procedure, it is easy to determine/refute the presence of a problem. It is enough to simply give a little material from the affected area. Naturally, this is done by a specialist. After which certain procedures are carried out, and the person receives the result.
In some cases, the problem is not identified, but still exists. This is due to incorrect sampling and testing. You should contact a doctor who will conduct the analysis directly in the morning hours (the period of increased tick activity).
You can also do the analysis yourself. In a specialized clinic, you can do a demodicosis test without the help of a specialist. To do this, you will need to take some adhesive tape and apply it to the most affected area of the skin. In the morning, place the tape between two slides (they are issued at the hospital) and take it to the clinic. This method does not always give a reliable result, so there is a need to conduct it additionally.
Scraping for demodicosis in dogs
Scraping for demodicosis in dogs is taken in various ways, some of them are quite unpleasant. Thus, there is a pathohistological method of examining the skin. To do this, it is necessary to cut out a piece of the affected skin. After that, it is stretched on a special cork or wooden plate. This process is carried out using a special silk thread. After that, fix it with a 12% solution of neutral formalin for several days. Then process it in accordance with the rules.
There is a way to take the affected area using a sharp scalpel. To do this, hold it almost parallel to the skin surface and make an incision. It is important that blood appears. The material obtained using this method is filled with a special solution of potassium or sodium. It is enough to hold the examined area in it for up to 12 hours.
When the crusts soften, they are placed on a glass slide and examined under a microscope. This procedure requires a lot of time. Therefore, modern methods have been developed.
So, there is a technical solution of increased efficiency. When taking a scraping, the dog's head is fixed with a collar and leash. It is better to carry out the procedure on the floor so as not to cause unnecessary anxiety to the animal. The laboratory technician carefully approaches from the front. He needs to examine the affected area and make an incision at the border with the "sick" area and the healthy one. The contents are carefully placed on a glass slide in a drop of purified kerosene. Here the presence of a tick is visible. The procedure is not painful.
Skin scraping for demodicosis
Skin scraping for demodicosis is not a big deal. Just choose a suitable clinic and go to the appointment. If the procedure is embarrassing within the walls of a medical institution, you can do it at home. To do this, take regular adhesive tape and place it on the affected area of skin overnight. In the morning, the tape must be glued to a glass slide, and the resulting material is taken to the hospital. The doctor studies everything and makes a conclusion.
The procedure can be performed directly in the hospital. The specialist takes a scraping from the affected area with a scalpel. This procedure is painless. A person may feel only slight discomfort. The specialist must place the material to be examined on a glass slide. A little alkali solution should be dropped here. This will allow the presence of a subcutaneous mite to be examined. Thus, the diagnosis will be confirmed or refuted immediately.
Where can I get a scraping test for demodicosis?
Touching upon skin problems, it is worth highlighting the question of where to take a demodicosis scraping? Naturally, the analysis is carried out by a dermatologist. Therefore, you will have to visit a special dermatovenerologic dispensary. Many people are afraid of such a place. Do not worry. Problems with any type of skin are solved in specially designated medical institutions. You can seek help either independently or by referral from a local therapist.
To make an appointment, it is enough to let the receptionist in. If a person wants to do the analysis independently, they should come to the hospital and take the necessary materials. In this case, we mean adhesive tape and slides. Sometimes, it is impossible to get the result after one analysis. More precisely, it is not entirely reliable. Therefore, it is worth preparing for the fact that you will have to visit the dispensary more than once. Demodicosis is, first of all, an unpleasant disease that should be eliminated with the right methods under the supervision of experienced specialists.