Microscopic Skin Examination for Detecting Fungi (Under the Breast Skin)

What is it? 

It is a microscopic examination aimed at detecting the presence of a fungal infection in the skin. During the examination, skin scrapings are taken from a suspicious area (e.g., zones of redness, scaling, or itching) and examined microscopically to check for the presence of fungal spores or hyphae. It is a quick and informative method for diagnosing skin mycoses (fungal infections). 

When is it recommended? 

• When there is itching, redness, scaling, or cracking of the skin; 
• Suspected skin mycosis (e.g., tinea corporis, tinea pedis, etc.); 
• When the skin condition does not improve with standard treatment or when the diagnosis is unclear; 
• When symptoms resemble contact dermatitis or other inflammatory conditions. 

Benefits: 

• Allows for quick and accurate determination of whether symptoms are caused by a fungal infection; 
• Helps select appropriate treatment – antifungal or other, if infection is ruled out; 
• Reduces the risk of unnecessary or inappropriate treatment. 

How is the examination performed? 

Special tools (a sterile spatula) are used to collect scrapings from the affected skin area. These are placed on a microscope slide, treated with a special solution (e.g., KOH), and examined under a microscope. The result can be known the same or the next day. 

Examination sites and specifics 

Microscopic skin examinations are performed on various body areas depending on the localization of symptoms. Although the principle of examination is the same, each zone has its own characteristics: 

1. Scalp – examined for flaking, itching, red spots, or hair loss. Suspected fungal infections such as tinea capitis. 
2. Foot skin – especially often examined for itching of the feet, skin cracks, or flaking. Common case – tinea pedis (“athlete's foot”). 
3. Body skin (groin) – fungal infections are common in the groin area due to warmth and moisture. Symptoms: redness, itching, discomfort. 
4. Between toes – one of the most common sites for foot fungus. May manifest as skin flaking, cracking, or unpleasant odor. 
5. Back skin – examined for spots, rashes, itching, or pigmentation changes. Suspected superficial fungal infections. 
6. Armpits – a common site not only for fungi but also for bacterial inflammations. Microscopic examination helps to differentiate these conditions. 
7. Abdominal skin – examination is performed for unclear skin changes or nonspecific symptoms when it is necessary to rule out mycosis. 
8. Under the breast – important to examine, especially in women, when sweating creates favorable conditions for infections under the breast (intertrigo). 
9. Hand skin – a common site for fungal infections or contact dermatitis. Examined for redness, scaling, or itching. 
10. Facial skin – examined when seborrheic or fungal infection is suspected, and standard treatment is ineffective. Symptoms may include rashes, redness, scaling.