What is a skin scrape and what can it diagnose?

Skin scrapes involve using a dulled scalpel blade to collect material from the skin surface for microscopic examination. These scrapes are crucial for detecting parasites, particularly Demodex mites, which cause inflammation, hair loss, scaling, and secondary infections.  

Deep skin scrapes focus on identifying mites living within hair follicles. This requires a small area and leaves a superficial abrasion. Superficial skin scrapes cover a larger area, collecting surface crust and skin cells to identify Sarcoptes and other surface mites that cause inflammation and itching. 

Detecting mites through skin scrapes can significantly impact treatment, leading to a faster resolution of skin issues and relief from discomfort.