What is a burrow?

Fig. 2.2 Scabies.

A burrow (Fig. 2-2) is an elevated channel in the superficial epidermis produced by a parasite, such as the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Scabies burrows characteristically are located on the wrists and in fingerwebs; the diagnosis is confirmed by demonstrating the mite microscopically in skin scrapings. The human hookworm may also produce a serpiginous burrow; however, demonstrating this organism is much more difficult.