Comparing the diagnostic properties of skin scraping, adhesive tape, and dermoscopy in diagnosing scabies

Abstract

Introduction: Scabies is a contagious skin infestation that mainly presents with itching at night and skin burrows that are visible to the naked eye. Diagnosing scabies with dermoscopy is still a matter of controversy. The aim of our study was to compare the diagnostic properties of adhesive tape, skin scraping, and dermoscopy in diagnosing scabies.

Methods: One hundred patients with clinical presumptive diagnoses of scabies underwent skin scraping, adhesive tape testing, and dermoscopic examination. Each diagnostic procedure was performed on three different areas.

Results: Comparing the diagnostic properties of the three methods, the adhesive tape test was the most sensitive method for diagnosing scabies. Sixteen cases (16.0%) were definitely diagnosed as scabies using the adhesive tape test detecting the presence of mites or their eggs. Only 10 cases (10.0%) were definitely diagnosed as scabies using the skin scraping test detecting mites or their eggs. Dermoscopic examination suggested a diagnosis of scabies in 22 cases (22.0%), of which only 10 were definitely diagnosed as scabies by detecting mites using the adhesive tape test, skin scraping, or both.

Conclusion: The diagnosis of scabies can only be confirmed by seeing mites. The adhesive tape test and skin scraping procedure have high specificity in diagnosing scabies, but their low sensitivity cannot exclude the possibility of scabies. Dermoscopy-guided tape testing can be a helpful tool for better diagnosis of scabies.