How is Malassezia dermatitis diagnosed?
There are several techniques used to collect samples for diagnosing yeast dermatitis: • Impression smear – pressing a microscope slide on the skin to collect yeast organisms • Acetate tape preparations – applying a piece of clear tape to the skin to collect yeast organisms • Skin scraping with a surgical blade – scraping the skin with a blade to collect yeast organisms • Cotton swab sample – rubbing a moistened swab on the skin to collect yeast organisms • Skin biopsy – obtaining a small piece of skin with a biopsy punch. This is the most invasive diagnostic test but provides the most complete diagnostic information. Once the sample is obtained, it will be examined under a microscope to reach the diagnosis.
