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Positive KOH Test



 Submitted by Nic on June 14, 2011
A fungal infection is a condition where some type of fungus begins to grow on the surface or within the body. Fungal infections may affect particular areas of the body and rarely cover large areas of the body. Fungal infections are most common on the skin surface, particularly in areas of the skin that do not get properly ventilated. Most types of fungus thrive in warm, humid conditions.

The KOH test is one method of diagnosing a fungal infection. The term KOH is used as a short form for Potassium Hydroxide. KOH is actually the chemical name for potassium hydroxide. This chemical solution is used to check if fungus is present on a sample of skin or nail tissue. The KOH test is also conducted to determine the nature of the fungus so that the exact appropriate treatment can be performed for the same.

The sample of skin or nail tissue is collected from the patient. This sample is then placed on a glass slide to be viewed under a microscope. The potassium hydroxide solution is added to the slide to dissolve various other cells and leave the fungus intact. The slide is then viewed by the technician to check for the presence of fungus. When this is complete, the result of the KOH test can be declared.

A positive KOH test using hydroxide shows that the cells of the skin have the fungus present and the person is affected by the virus. A patient who has a positive KOH test result needs to undergo treatment which will help with the removal of fungus from the affected area. Fungal infections can infiltrate the body as well. In such a situation, the patient is likely to suffer from serious health problems. Therefore, the appropriate action after receiving a positive KOH test result is to undergo treatment for the condition that has been diagnosed. The advantage of the use of microscopic analysis is that the exact strain of fungus can be identified based on the structures that have been identified. When this happens, the doctor is able to prescribe the exact antidote to the condition.

The KOH test usually takes less than an hour to perform. This is the duration between the scraping of the skin sample and the declaration of the test result. The KOH test is ordered for patients who have abnormal skin patches or rashes that need to be analyzed to determine their specific nature.
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