Athlete’s foot Diagnosed
Although the distinct symptoms of athlete’s foot are very good indicators for the diagnosis of the skin condition, the doctors usually order several skin tests to make sure that it is athlete’s foot. The doctors might make the patient go through several tests to confirm the presence of fungal attack, which is causing the athlete’s foot. Moreover, the doctors also confirm that either the skin infection is due to tinea pedis fungus, or it is some other fungus. Since the symptoms of athlete’s foot are curable, but it is very important not to miss any visit to a dermatologist to get a proper diagnosis. Due to the use of topical creams, the symptoms of athlete’s foot might also get worse, so it is essential to pay a visit to the doctor.
The athlete’s foot appears like a foot rash at its initial stages, and some people confuse it with other skin conditions too. The looking heat rash might be due to the allergic rashes from some foot cream or shoes. The floor rash might be due to contact dermatitis, which is very irritant for the skin. Since it is very difficult to identify and distinguish between these similar skin condition as the symptoms are alike. But in addition to the superficial visual exam, the doctors perform a test to confirm the presence of an athlete’s foot in the patient. Following is an analysis that doctors perform in the clinics and laboratories to diagnose athlete’s foot in a patient:
Potassium hydroxide exam for skin lesions:
In the potassium hydroxide exam for skin lesions, the doctor scrapes off a small portion of the infected skin and places the skin sample in the solution of potassium hydroxide. This test is the most common test for the diagnosis of athlete’s foot and gives accurate results. The potassium hydroxide solution destroys the healthy cells in the sample of skin, and the fungal cells remain untouched. Through the test of potassium hydroxide, it becomes a lot easier to see the fungal cells under the microscope.