How to Use Black Light to Diagnose Fungus

The most common way to diagnose fungal infections of the skin used to be a Wood's lamp, more commonly called a black light today. Not all fungi fluoresce in ultraviolet light, but many species do. Over time, these easy-to-spot species have been replaced by species that do not fluoresce, the major exception being ringworm, of which about half the species fluoresce in UV light 2.

Clean the suspected infection site. Because a wide variety of substances fluoresce under UV light, carefully clean the area to be inspected. Be sure to remove flaking skin, hair, makeup or topical medications that can obscure the infection.

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Activate the black light. Power your small, handheld black light by plugging it into an electrical outlet and switch it on. A portable lamp should be used so it can be brought close to the site of the potential fungal infection.

Hold the lamp close to skin. Bring the bulb of the lamp close to the infection site without actually touching it to the skin. If a ringworm or another fluorescent fungus is present, the site should glow bright green.

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Confirm the diagnosis with a culture. A black light diagnosis should not be considered conclusive. Take a culture of the suspected fungus with a cotton swab and allow it to develop in a sealed culture media, or seek professional assistance.

Tips

Patchy hair or bald spots can be a symptom of fungus, but many of these species that cause those symptoms do not fluoresce under a black light. When in doubt, seek professional medical attention.

Warnings

Ringworm and other fungal infections spread easily through direct contact. Use caution around a suspected fungus. Wear disposable gloves and clean your hands thoroughly.