Objective: Superficial dermatophyte infections are classified according to the anatomical location and are named tinea. The factors of dermatophyte infections may vary depending on socioeconomic status, geographical region, climate, and lifestyles. The diagnosis of dermatophytosis is made by clinical findings and some laboratory tests. In our study, native preparation results of patients who were admitted to our dermatology clinic with a pre-diagnosis of dermatomycoses were evaluated retrospectively according to gender, age, and localization.

Material and Method: This study included 592 patients with dermatomycoses who were admitted to our clinic between the 1st of August 2018 and the 1st of December 2021. Swabs were taken from each of 592 patients. Swabs were placed in a drop of 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution on a microscopic slide and covered with a coverslip. While nail and hair samples were kept on the slide for one hour, skin samples were kept on the slide for half an hour. The findings were evaluated retrospectively.

Results: In our study, 265 (48.71%) of 544 patients who applied to the dermatology clinic of our hospital with a preliminary diagnosis of dermatomycosis were female and 279 (51.28%) of them were male. As a result of direct microscopic evaluation with a native preparation, 272 (50%) patients were positive. While Tinea corporis was the most common reason for patients to apply to the hospital, the highest positive rate was determined as Tinea cruris with 58.97%. In the samples, the distribution of the highest positivity according to body sites was determined as 60% tinea pedis in children, and 60.60% tinea cruris in adults.

Conclusion: As a result, fungal infections have increased dramatically in recent years. The correct and early diagnosis together with early treatment initiation is extremely important in fungal infections. In addition, early diagnosis is very important in terms of minimizing the harmful effects of antifungal drugs that are prescribed unnecessarily. It has been emphasized that the native preparation method in superficial dermatophyte infections is cheap and practical, and it can quickly guide the treatment.

Dermatophytosis Direct microscopic examination Superficial fungal infections