Skin Swabs
Accurate and reliable skin swab testing allows us to correctly diagnose infections and skin conditions, providing you with the best treatment plan moving forward.
Book an appointmentAccreditations & memberships
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 swab?
A skin swab is a test we use to identify the presence of bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other pathogens. We take a small sample of material from the surface of the skin using a sterile cotton swab, then analyse the sample in a lab.
Why are skin swabs important?
Skin swabs provide a reliable way to identify the cause of skin infections or other abnormalities. This precise diagnosis helps us tailor treatments to the specific pathogen, increasing the likelihood of effective treatment and faster recovery.
Additionally, skin swabs are crucial for detecting antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which require targeted management to prevent the spread of infection.
What does a skin swab test for?
A skin swab can test for a variety of skin conditions, particularly those caused by infections or abnormal microbial growth. Some of the common skin conditions and infections a skin swab can help diagnose include:
Bacterial infections
Impetigo
A contagious skin infection causing red sores, usually in children.
Cellulitis
An infection that causes red, swollen, and painful skin, often in deeper layers.
MRSA
A type of staph infection resistant to some antibiotics.
Folliculitis
An infection of hair follicles, often caused by bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus.
Viral infections
Herpes
Causes cold sores or genital herpes.
Shingles
A reactivation of the chickenpox virus, causing a painful rash.
Molluscum contagiosum
An infection resulting in small, flesh-coloured bumps on the skin.
Fungal infections
Ringworm
An infection causing red, ring-shaped rashes on the skin or scalp.
Candidiasis
Caused by Candida yeast, leading to red, itchy skin, particularly in warm, moist areas.
Athlete's Foot
An infection affecting the feet, causing itching and scaling.
Other skin conditions
Eczema and dermatitis
Skin swabs can sometimes help rule out secondary infections in inflamed or irritated skin.
Unexplained rashes
Swabs can assist in identifying potential infectious causes of rashes.
How is a skin swab taken?
Using a sterile cotton swab, we softly rub the swab over the targeted area to collect cells from the skin surface. We may prick a pustule with a sterile needle to collect the pus on the swab tip. The technique for fungi involves a superficial scraping technique to collect cells from the cells and debris from the skin surface.
This process is quick and painless, and we take extra care to keep you comfortable throughout. Once the sample is collected, we send it to our lab for detailed analysis, where it's carefully examined for any bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other pathogens.
We will then arrange a follow up appointment to discuss our findings and recommended next steps.