For ringworm examination a selection of plucked hairs (including
the root) from the edge of the lesion is the best sample.
For ectoparasites a deep skin scrape is necessary. It is important to go
sufficiently deep to achieve capillary blood oozing. |
| * |
Place a drop of liquid paraffin on the clipped skin to be
examined. |
| * |
Gently squeeze the skin into a fold. |
| * |
Scrape with a sharp scalpel blade until oozing occurs. |
| * |
Carefully scrape the scalpel onto a microscope slide or place
the scalpel blade into a labelled protective case (syringe cases are
useful). Do not allow the sample to dry out. Examination of dry crusted
scabs is unrewarding. A separate transport swab should be taken for bacteriology
of suitable pustules or pyoderma. The adhesive tape technique is suitable
for examination for superficial ectoparasites and malassezia. |
| * |
Take a section of clear adhesive tape. |
| * |
Sticky side down press down on area to be investigated. |
| * |
Place tape sticky side down on a microscope slide for examination. |
| |
|