Skin and nail fungus test
fungal scraping · nail fungus test · KOH test · skin scraping for fungus · fungal culture
A small scraping is taken from the skin or a nail. A microscope and a culture show if there is a fungus.
For flaking, itching, or patches on the skin, or for thick or yellow nails, before treatment starts.
⏱ Duration: the scraping takes 5 to 10 minutes; microscope results usually in 1 to 3 days, the culture in 2 to 4 weeks
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Treatment. The test is usually done before treatment or after a break. Your doctor will tell you how long the break is. Do not stop on your own.
- Nails. For a few days before, do not cut or file the affected nails. Remove nail polish.
- Skin. On the test day, do not put creams on the skin or wash the area with soap.
What to bring
- Your test request form
- Your ID
How it goes
- The doctor looks at your skin or nails
- The area is wiped
- Flakes of skin or bits of nail are gently scraped off with a small blade
- The sample is collected on a glass slide or in a tube
- It is sent to the lab
What you'll feel
- Usually painless. Only the top dead layer is taken
- Sometimes a little unpleasant at the edge of the nail
Afterwards
- You can go back to your usual day right away
- Microscope results usually come in 1 to 3 days
- The culture takes 2 to 4 weeks. It shows which fungus it is
Common questions
Why not use ointment before the test?
It can hide the fungus, and the test may come back with nothing found.
Do I need the test if the fungus is obvious?
Yes. Changes that look like fungus can come from other conditions. Fungus treatment is long, so it is confirmed first.