Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Clinical Examination Protocol to Detect Atypical and Classical Scrapie in Sheep
Published on: January 19, 2014
'Wake sign': an important clue for the diagnosis of scabies
1Yoshizumi Dermatology Clinic, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Medical Center East, Tokyo, Japan. cecilia@kitanet.ne.jp
Abstract:
Japan is currently experiencing many outbreaks of scabies, occurring mainly in long-term care facilities. Scabies burrows, the only pathognomonic lesion for scabies, often occur on the creases of the palms, and are followed by a pattern of scale reminiscent of the 'wake' left on the surface of water by a moving bird or a ship (wake sign).(1-4) The wake sign is useful because (i) it is specific for scabies, (ii) it is sufficiently large to be found by the naked eye and (iii) it points towards the location of the mite and its products. Examination of patients' palms to look for this sign is a simple and efficient way to make a diagnosis of scabies throughout the course of an infestation.
Related Concept Videos
Leishmaniasis
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair and Hair Follicles
Hair is a keratinous filament growing out of the epidermis. It is primarily made of dead, keratinized cells. Hair strands originate at the epidermal penetration called the hair follicle. The hair shaft is the part...
Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Sign Test for Matched Pairs
To conduct the sign test, we first calculate the differences in value between...
American Trypanosomiasis
