To diagnose a skin infection, a healthcare provider will usually examine the affected area, looking for any bumps, sores, or other signs of infection. They might also ask about your symptoms and medical history.
Common tests for skin infections include:
- Skin culture: A sample is taken from the skin, either by swabbing, scraping, or biopsy, to identify the type of infection.
- Blood tests: These can help determine if the infection has spread to the bloodstream.
- Fungal culture: This test can identify a fungal infection.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): This test amplifies bacterial DNA from a skin sample to detect the infection.
The specific tests will depend on the suspected type of infection, the location of the infection, and the severity of your symptoms.
