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To determine fungal dermatoses or skin infestations.
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Fresh skin scraping, glass microscope slide, coverslip, 10% potassium hydroxide or mineral oil.
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Specimen collection:
Gently scrape skin lesion with edge of a number 15 scalpel.
Slide preparation:
Pediculosis may be seen grossly clinging to individual hairs or under low power. Live nits may fluoresce with a Wood lamp.
For scabies, place a drop of KOH or mineral oil onto the slide.
Suspend a small amount of the scraping onto the drop.
Overlay a coverslip.
Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes; as an alternative, gently heat the slide over a Bunsen burner but do not boil.
Examine under microscope for hyphae, spores, or infestations.
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