About Koh Examination
Key Highlights
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Provides rapid, on-the-spot diagnosis, often within minutes.Non-invasive and typically painless procedure.Highly accurate for confirming the presence of fungal elements.Helps differentiate fungal infections from other skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.Guides targeted and effective antifungal treatment, avoiding unnecessary medications.Cost-effective and widely available in dermatology clinics./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Suspected fungal skin infections (e.g., ringworm, tinea corporis, tinea cruris).
- Red, scaly, itchy, or circular rashes on the skin.
- Symptoms of athlete's foot (tinea pedis) or jock itch (tinea cruris).
- Discolored, thickened, or crumbling fingernails or toenails (onychomycosis).
- Scaly patches or hair loss on the scalp (tinea capitis).
- To confirm a fungal diagnosis before starting long-term oral antifungal therapy.
- To monitor treatment effectiveness in some cases.
How to prepare
- No special dietary or medication restrictions are typically required.
- Avoid applying creams, lotions, powders, or antifungal sprays to the affected area for 24-48 hours before the test.
- For nail samples, avoid nail polish for several days prior.
- Inform your dermatologist about any medications or supplements you are taking.
- Wear clothing that allows easy access to the area being examined.
Risks & possible complications
- The procedure is extremely low-risk. The primary 'risk' is a false-negative result if the sample is inadequate or if antifungal creams were recently used.
- Minor, temporary discomfort during sample collection (gentle scraping).
- Very slight risk of minor bleeding or irritation at the sample site, especially if the skin is already inflamed.
- No risks associated with the KOH solution itself, as it is used externally for examination only.
Recovery & hospital stay
- No recovery time is needed; patients can resume normal activities immediately.
- The sampled area may feel slightly tender or look mildly irritated for a few hours.
- Keep the area clean and dry; follow your dermatologist's instructions regarding any ongoing skin care.
- If a biopsy or more invasive sample was not taken, no wound care is required.
- Await the results, which are often discussed during the same appointment, to begin the prescribed treatment plan.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (outpatient procedure)
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Expected recovery time: 0 days (immediate)
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering koh examination in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in Turkey with dermatology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform koh examination. MediFyr helps you compare dermatologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for koh examination compare across other countries where we have data.
Reyansh Verma, a 28-year-old software engineer,...
Reyansh Verma, a 28-year-old software engineer, had been dealing with a persistent, itchy rash on his scalp and beard for over two months. Initially, he thought it was just dandruff or a reaction to a new shampoo, but the itching became intense, and he noticed flaky, red patches. As someone who prided himself on his appearance, he felt self-conscious and avoided social gatherings. His dermatologist, Dr. Sharma, recommended a KOH examination to check for a fungal infection. During the procedure, Reyansh felt a slight scraping sensation as the doctor collected a small sample from his scalp. The quick, in-office test confirmed tinea capitis and barbae. With a diagnosis in hand, Reyansh started a course of oral antifungal medication and medicated shampoo. Within two weeks, the itching subsided significantly, and the patches began to clear. Emotionally, he moved from frustration and embarrassment to immense relief, feeling back in control of his health and confident again.