Wood light in the diagnosis of superficial cutaneous mycoses

Abstract

Introduction: Wood's light is a very useful auxiliary instrument for the diagnosis
of superficial mycoses, as well as for ruling out or confirming other
dermatological conditions considered as differential diagnoses.
Objective: To determinate the results of Wood's light in the diagnosis of
superficial cutaneous mycoses.
Methods: A study was carried out, descriptive, cross-sectional study that took
place in the Dermatology Service of the Comandante Manuel Fajardo University
Clinical Surgical Hospital, during the period from April 2022 to April 2023. The
universe was 96 patients.
Results: No significant difference was found in terms of sex, with the age group
over 40 years predominating. A higher incidence was observed in skin phototypes
III to V according to the Fitzpatrick classification. Candidiasis, ringworm and
pityriasis versicolor prevailed among the clinical diagnoses, yellow-orange
florescence was the one with the highest incidence. The correlation was 79.2%.
Conclusions: It is considered that Wood's Light is a very useful diagnostic aid in
the dermatology consultation for superficial mycoses and dermatoses of other
etiologies.