The symptoms of scabies are usually diagnosed by a doctor. The doctor will look for the characteristic signs of a scabies mite infestation such as severe itching and thin mite burrow tracks under the surface of the skin. In particular, the doctor will focus on the skin fold areas of the body.

The doctor will also try to ascertain if the patient has been in contact with a family member or other individual with scabies as these situations increase the odds of the occurrence of a scabies skin problem.

The doctor may also take skin scrapings of the affected skin areas. These scrapings are then examined under a microscope. With microscopy, the physician will be able to see any scabies mites, mite eggs, empty egg casings, and perhaps mite feces. This will allow for a positive scabies diagnosis. However, mites may not be present in the sampled area and therefore, a negative result from this test does not rule out scabies. In this case, the doctor may revert back to a diagnosis based on the scabies symptoms.

Sometimes an ink test is used. Ink from a felt tip marker is placed on the itchy skin areas and then wiped off. The mite burrows will absorb the ink more than the surrounding skin and make the burrows more noticeable.

skin care | diagnose my skin rash | scabies | what is scabies | scabies causes | scabies mites | scabies rash | symptoms of scabies | scabies symptoms | scabies treatments | what does scabies look like | scabies pictures