Koh (potassium hydroxide) function test: procedures, risks, etc.

x

Definition

What does KOH (potassium hydroxide) do?

The KOH (potassium hydroxide) test is a procedure that has the function of diagnosing fungal infections of the nails. This fairly simple procedure will later remove the nail tissue with a scalpel and other tools.

The tissue that becomes the sample will be placed on the glass and mixed with a solution of potassium hydroxide. After that, the sample will be examined under a microscope for signs of a fungal infection.

In addition to detecting moldy nails, the KOH test also functions to recognize symptoms of fungal infections of the skin and hair, namely:

• rash,
• itching of the skin,
• rash due to use of certain drugs, and
• a rash that doesn't go away for months

The KOH examination aims to confirm the presence of fungi, including the dermatophytes that cause nail fungus.

Who needs a KOH test?

For those of you who experience symptoms of damaged nails, such as discoloration, loose nails, or thickening, you should do the KOH test.

In addition to detecting nail disease, the KOH test also has a function to identify fungal infection problems in other parts of the body, such as water lice and infections of the scalp.

Procedure

What is the procedure for the KOH test to check for nail fungus?

Initially, the dermatologist will collect a skin sample or nail clippings under the nail of the fungus. If the sample cannot be collected, the doctor may scratch the nail near the infected area so that a nail clippings can be removed.

The sample will then be placed on the glass with the KOH solution and slightly heated. This solution will later dissolve the skin and nail cells, leaving fungal cells.

That way, the fungal cells can be seen under the microscope. Apart from that, the color stain will also be used to define the fungal cells.

The general KOH procedure is painless. The skin around the nail may feel tender when you scrape it off, but this condition should go away for a few hours.

What needs to be done after the KOH examination?

One thing you may have felt after taking the KOH test was the uncomfortable feeling when the sample was collected.

It takes about 1 minute to collect the tissue under the nail and results in 10 minutes.

You can also return to your activities as before after taking the test. Your doctor will discuss with you the condition and a suitable nail fungus treatment plan.

There are times when the doctor will ask you to undergo further tests if the KOH function does not show clear results. Always follow the doctor's instructions for getting the right treatment.

Test results

The KOH test results are divided into two types as follows.

Normal

The function of the KOH solution is to destroy non-fungal cells. That way, the doctor can see if there is fungus in the liquid when the KOH solution and nail clippings are examined through a microscope.

Normal results will show that there is no fungus in the skin sample. This means that the skin rash is not caused by a yeast infection, but rather from another condition.

Abnormal

Meanwhile, an abnormal result indicates a fungus on your skin. That is why, skin rashes and symptoms of damaged nails may be caused by a fungal infection.

In addition, the KOH function also ensures the presence of dermatophyte fungi and Candida albicans.

Please note that the KOH examination cannot identify the type of fungus. However, most cases indicate that you don't need to know exactly what type of fungus is.

If the results are inconclusive, the dermatologist may recommend that you undergo a skin biopsy. That way, your doctor can plan what nail fungus medication is right for you and the severity of this nail problem.

Risk

What are the risks of the KOH test?

The good news is, the KOH preparation test has quite a few risks. You may experience bleeding or infection from skin scraping when the sample is taken. However, these risks are usually not bothersome enough.

After the test is done, the doctor will also provide instructions on how to treat the sample area.

However, immediately consult a doctor when experiencing some symptoms on an infected nail, such as:

• the rash and redness gets worse,
• swelling,
• hot, and
• pain.

If you have further questions, please discuss with your doctor to find the right solution.