How is ringworm diagnosed?
Ringworm is best diagnosed by culture, which means by growing the fungus in the laboratory. Only in this way are we able to differentiate among the various fungal species that cause ringworm. Determining the identity of the fungus helps us decide on the course of treatment and sometimes gives us a clue as to the source of the infection. The culture is easy to collect and requires 1 to 3 weeks for the fungus to grow. Ringworm can also be diagnosed in several other ways. These include the examination of the hair under a black light or microscope (trichography), or skin biopsies (dermatopathology).
