Microscopic Skin Examination for Fungal Detection (facial skin)

What is it? 

This is a microscopic examination designed to detect the presence of a fungal infection in the skin. During the test, skin scrapings are taken from a suspicious area (e.g., redness, scaling, or itching) and examined microscopically to determine if they contain 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 skin cracking; 
• Suspected skin mycosis (e.g., tinea corporis, tinea pedis, etc.); 
• When skin condition does not improve with standard treatment or the diagnosis is unclear; 
• In the presence of symptoms similar to contact dermatitis or other inflammatory conditions. 

Benefits: 

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

How is the examination performed? 

Using a special instrument (a sterile spatula), scrapings are collected from the affected skin area. They 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 day or the next day. 

Examination areas and specifics 

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

1. Scalp – examined for scaling, itching, red spots, or hair loss. Suspected fungal infections such as tinea capitis. 
2. Foot skin – often examined for itching, skin cracking, or scaling. A common case – 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 manifest as skin scaling, 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 differentiate these conditions. 
7. Abdominal skin – examination is performed in the presence of unclear skin changes or nonspecific symptoms when the possibility of mycosis needs to be ruled out. 
8. Under the breast – it is 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.

Attention! This service is provided only at Gumbinės 33C, Šiauliai.