Rapid Skin Fungal Test - Fungal Detection by KOH Preparation (Skin Scrapings)

Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) preparation for skin scrapings is a rapid microscopic test for the preliminary detection of dermatophytes or yeast in scrapings from infected skin. Scrapings are taken from the active edge of the skin lesion using a sterile scalpel or blade, then placed on a microscope slide with KOH solution (10-20%). The solution dissolves and digests the human keratinocytes in the sample, making fungal filaments (hyphae) or yeast cells clearly visible under the microscope.