Microscopic Skin Examination for Fungal Detection (Armpit Skin)

What is it? 

This is a microscopic examination designed to detect the presence of a fungal infection on the skin. During the examination, skin scrapings are taken from a suspicious area (e.g., a zone of redness, scaling, or itching) and microscopically examined for 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 cracks in 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; 
• In the presence of symptoms similar to contact dermatitis or other inflammatory diseases. 

Benefits: 

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

How is the examination performed? 

Using a special tool (a sterile spatula), scrapings are collected 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 may be known the same or the next day. 

Examination sites and specifics 

Microscopic skin examinations are performed in various body areas depending on the localization of symptoms. Although the principle of the 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 foot itching, skin cracks, or scaling. A common case is tinea pedis (“athlete's foot”). 
3. Body skin (groin) – fungal infections in the groin area are common due to heat and moisture. Symptoms: redness, itching, discomfort. 
4. Interdigital (feet) – one of the most common sites for foot fungus. May present as skin scaling, cracking, or unpleasant odor. 
5. Back skin – examined for spots, rashes, itching, or changes in pigmentation. Suspected superficial fungal infections. 
6. Armpits – a common site not only for fungi but also for bacterial inflammations. Microscopic examination helps distinguish these conditions. 
7. Abdominal skin – examination is performed for unclear skin changes or nonspecific symptoms where it is necessary to rule out the possibility of mycosis. 
8. Under the breast – important to examine especially in women, where 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, peeling, or itching. 
10. Facial skin – examined when seborrheic or fungal infection is suspected, and standard treatment is ineffective. Symptoms may include rashes, redness, scaling.