Microscopic Skin Examination for Fungi (Facial Skin)

What is it? 

It is a microscopic examination designed to determine the presence of a fungal infection in the skin. During the examination, skin scrapings are taken from the suspicious area (e.g., redness, scaling, or itching zone) and microscopically examined 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 itching, redness, scaling, or skin cracks appear; 
• Suspected skin mycosis (e.g., tinea corporis, tinea pedis, etc.); 
• When the skin condition does not improve with conventional treatment or the diagnosis is unclear; 
• With symptoms similar to contact dermatitis or other inflammatory conditions. 

Benefits: 

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

How is the examination performed? 

Special tool (sterile spatula) is 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 locations and specifics 

Microscopic skin examinations are performed on various body areas depending on symptom localization. Although the principle of the examination is the same, each area 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 - particularly often examined for foot itching, skin cracks, or scaling. Common case - tinea pedis ("athlete's foot"). 
3. Body skin (groin) - fungal infections are common in the groin area due to heat and moisture. Symptoms: redness, itching, discomfort. 
4. Interdigital spaces (feet) - one of the most common places for foot fungus. It 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 area not only for fungi but also for bacterial inflammations. Microscopic examination helps differentiate these conditions. 
7. Abdominal skin - examination is performed for unclear skin changes or nonspecific symptoms when the possibility of mycosis needs to be ruled out. 
8. Under the breast - important to examine especially in women when sweat creates favorable conditions for infections under the breast (intertrigo). 
9. Hand skin - common site for fungal infections or contact dermatitis. Examined for redness, flaking, 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 only available at Gumbinės 33C, Šiauliai.