Skin Scrapes for Fungus
Skin scrapes for fungus are a simple, effective diagnostic procedure to detect fungal infections on the skin, helping ensure accurate treatment and faster recovery.
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Our consultants are members of leading UK and international dermatology and hair specialist bodies.
- Royal College of Physicians
- European Hair Research Society (EHRS)
- British Association of Dermatologists
- British Hair & Nail Society
- American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD)
- European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology (EADV)
What is a skin scrape?
A skin scrape is a minor procedure where we collect a small sample of skin cells from the surface of the skin. The sample is sent off to be first looked at under a microscope and then cultured in a lab to actually grow and type the fungus. Results will take around a month due to the time to culture in a lab.
Why do we need to scrape the skin for a fungus infection?
Fungi often reside in the outer layers of the skin, where they may not be visible to the naked eye. A skin scrape allows for the collection of skin cells and fungi that we can then examine under a microscope in a lab.
This helps confirm whether a fungal infection is present, which type of fungus is involved, and guides the appropriate treatment. Without this step, it can be difficult to distinguish fungal infections from other skin conditions that have similar symptoms, such as rashes or redness.
What conditions are skin scrapes used for?
We primarily use skin scrapes to diagnose fungal infections, but they can also be useful for a number of other skin conditions such as identifying scabies mites or yeasts on the skin.
Ringworm (Tinea)
Red, ring-shaped rashes affecting the skin, scalp, or nails.
Athlete's Foot
Fungal infection causing itching, scaling, and redness between the toes.
Candidiasis
Yeast infection causing red, itchy patches in skin folds.
Scabies
Mite infestation causing intense itching and a pimple-like rash.
How does a skin scrape work?
The goal of a skin scrape is to collect a layer of skin cells to examine for a fungal infection or different condition. It is a simple but effective process.
The area of skin is gently scraped using a scalpel. This process gathers skin cells, along with any microorganisms, without causing significant discomfort to the skin.
With the collected sample, we will send it to the lab to examine it further, often using a potassium hydroxide solution to detect fungal infections.
What happens after a skin scrape?
Once we have the results of the test, we will arrange a follow up appointment to discuss our findings and our next steps. If we do find a fungal infection, we will discuss antifungal treatments, such as:
- •Topical creams
- •Oral medications
- •Other targeted therapies
These will depend on the severity and location of the infection.
What is the cost of a skin scrape for fungus?
Skin scraping is something we generally do at the time of the actual consultation and we don't charge any additional fee for collecting the sample. There will be a small fee from the hospital for the sample to be tested which the hospitals will bill you for directly.