Athlete's foot laboratory findings

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Athlete's foot can usually be diagnosed by visual inspection of the skin, but where the diagnosis is in doubt direct microscopy of a potassium hydroxide preparation (known as a KOH test). A KOH preparation is performed on skin scrapings from the affected area. The KOH preparation has an excellent positive predictive value, but occasionally false negative results may be obtained, especially if treatment with an anti-fungal medication has already begun.

Laboratory Findings

Microscopy

• Double direct microscopy of skin scrapings to establish diagnosis.

Biopsy

• A biopsy of the affected skin (i.e. a sample of the living skin tissue) can be taken for histological examination.