Ihonäytteitä

Ihonäytteitä, also known as skin scrapings or skin biopsies, are small samples of skin tissue collected for diagnostic purposes. These samples are typically taken from areas of the skin that exhibit abnormalities such as rashes, lesions, moles, or suspected infections. The procedure for collecting an ihonäyte can vary depending on the type of sample required and the suspected condition.

Superficial skin scrapings involve gently scraping the surface layer of the skin with a scalpel or a special collection device. This method is often used to identify fungal infections like ringworm or to detect the presence of mites, such as those causing scabies. The collected material is then examined under a microscope, often with the aid of staining agents, to identify the causative organisms.

More invasive procedures include punch biopsies, shave biopsies, or excisional biopsies. A punch biopsy uses a circular blade to remove a small, cylindrical piece of skin. A shave biopsy removes a superficial layer of the skin that protrudes above the surrounding skin. An excisional biopsy removes the entire lesion along with a margin of healthy tissue. These types of biopsies are typically performed under local anesthesia and are used to diagnose conditions like skin cancer, inflammatory skin diseases, or to identify unusual moles.

The collected skin samples are then sent to a pathology laboratory for analysis. Pathologists examine the tissue under a microscope to identify cellular changes, infections, or other abnormalities. The results of the ihonäyte examination are crucial for determining the correct diagnosis and guiding treatment decisions for various dermatological conditions.