What type of immersion oil is best used for the oil immersion dermatoscopes?
Alcohol gel is preferred, as it should be easy to hand in the examination room and will reduce the theoretical risk of cross contamination. Around the eyes and nails ultrasound gel is beneficial as it will not irritate the eye and does not run off the nail (Note, do not forget to clean the instrument with alcohol gel if ultrasound gel was used). For the instruments with cross-polarised lenses there is no need for immersion oil; however care should still be taken to keep the instrument clean and to avoid cross contamination between patients.
