Answer :
Final answer:
A deep skin scraping should be performed for Demodex mites.
Explanation:
The Demodex mites, including the larger Demodex folliculorum and the smaller Demodex brevis, are part of our natural skin microbiota and typically pose no harm. However, when overgrowth occurs or an individual's immune system is compromised, they can contribute to skin issues.
To diagnose a potential infestation by Demodex mites, medical professionals perform a deep skin scraping to collect a sample from the affected areas, which is then examined under a microscope. In the case of a fungal infection indicated by symptoms of intense itching, red and inflamed skin between the toes, and cracking of the skin, this would lead to a suspicion of athlete's foot or tinea pedis.
The presence of fungal hyphae and large, leaf-shaped spores observed under the microscope after a skin scraping supports this diagnosis. Laboratories often use potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparations to dissolve keratin and allow better visualization of fungal elements in the samples.
