Skin investigations

Question 1

What are the investigations for bacterial skin infections?

Answer 1

Take swabs from affected area, serous fluid, for bacteriology then:

Microscopy, culture and sensitivity

Question 2

What are the investigations to be done for viral skin infections ?

Answer 2

Take swabs of vesicular fluid for virology then:

PCR

Question 3

What are the investigations done for fungal skin infections ?

Answer 3

Take scrapings from edge of affected area for mycology:

Microscopy and culture for fungi

Question 4

Appreciate this

Answer 4

For skin biopsy’s:

Ellipse – larger specimen

• incisional for diagnosis of larger lesion / rash
• excisional to remove a discrete lesion

Question 5

What are the two main investigations you can do for Type I hypersensitivity reactions ?

Answer 5

IgE blood test

Skin prick test (think this is first choice) - there is a risk fo anaphylaxis though

Question 6

What is the first choice investigation for type IV hypersensitivity reaction ?

Answer 6

Patch testing