Microscopic Skin Examination for Fungal Detection (hand skin)

What is it? 

This is a microscopic examination designed to determine the presence of a fungal infection in the skin. During the examination, skin scrapings are taken from a suspicious area (e.g., redness, scaling, or itching zone) and microscopically examined to see if they contain fungal spores or hyphae. This is a quick and informative method for diagnosing skin mycoses (fungal infections). 

When is it recommended? 

• When there is itching, redness, scaling, or skin cracks; 
• Suspecting skin mycosis (e.g., tinea corporis, tinea pedis, etc.); 
• When the skin condition does not improve with conventional treatment or when the diagnosis is unclear; 
• When symptoms are 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 choosing the appropriate treatment – antifungal or other if the infection is ruled out; 
• Reduces the risk of unnecessary or inappropriate treatment. 

How is the examination performed? 

Special tools (sterile spatula) are used to collect scrapings 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 can be known the same or the next day. 

Examination sites and specifics 

Microscopic skin examinations are performed on various parts of the body – depending on the localization of symptoms. Although the principle of examination is the same, each area has its own peculiarities: 

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. 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 spaces (feet) – one of the most common places 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 place not only for fungi but also for bacterial inflammations. Microscopic examination helps distinguish these conditions. 
7. Abdominal skin – examination is performed in case of unclear skin changes or nonspecific symptoms when the possibility of mycosis needs to be ruled out. 
8. Under the breast – especially important for women to examine when sweating leads to favorable conditions for infections under the breast (intertrigo). 
9. Hand skin – a common site for fungal infections or contact dermatitis. Examined in cases of redness, peeling, or itching. 
10. Facial skin – examined when seborrheic or fungal infection is suspected, and standard treatment is ineffective. Symptoms can include rashes, redness, peeling.