Eurobio Scientific
Patient Journey
From first symptoms to an answer
Not sure what is happening to your skin, hair, or nails? Here is what the diagnostic journey may look like.
You notice changes in your skin, hair or nails
Itching, flaking, redness, a changing nail or a circular rash may be signs worth checking.
You book an appointment
A healthcare professional will look at the affected area and ask a few simple questions about your symptoms.
Expect a small sample to be taken
This may be a few skin scrapings, a nail clipping or some affected hairs. It is usually quick and causes little or no discomfort.
Your sample goes to the laboratory
Different laboratory methods take very different amounts of time.
- Microscopy: A quick way to look directly for fungal elements in
the sample. - Culture: The fungus is allowed to grow so it can be identified.
Because dermatophytes grow slowly, the technique itself can
take several weeks. - Molecular testing: Looks directly for fungal genetic material
and can identify dermatophytes much faster than culture.
You discuss treatment
Treatment often involves antifungal creams or other topical treatments. Type and duration depend on the location and extent of infection. Skin? Think weeks. Nail? Think months
Your healthcare professional will choose the treatment and duration that fit your infection.
How can I recognize dermatophytosis?
Dermatophyte infections can look different depending on whether they affect the skin, nails or scalp. Discover the common signs and symptoms to look out for, and how they may vary depending on the area affected.