<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (April 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (April 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> The KOH Test for Candida albicans, also known as a potassium hydroxide preparation or KOH prep, is a quick, inexpensive fungal test to differentiate dermatophytes and Candida albicans symptoms from other skin disorders like psoriasis and eczema . </P> <P> Dermatophytes are a type of fungus that invades the top layer of the skin, hair, or nails . There are three genera of fungi commonly implicated: Trichophyton (found in skin, nail, and hair infections), Epidermophyton (skin and nail infections), and Microsporum (skin and hair infections). Dermatophytes produce an infection commonly known as ringworm or tinea . It can appear as "jock itch" in the groin or inner thighs (tinea cruris); on the scalp and hair (tinea capitis) resulting in brittle hair shafts that fall out easily . Tinea unguium affects the nails and athlete's foot (tinea pedis) affects the feet . Tinea versicolor refers to a fungal infection of the skin caused by Malassezia furfur . It appears anywhere on the skin and produces red or gray, scaly patches of itchy skin . Deeper infections may be discoloured, ulcerative and purulent . </P>

A koh test is often used to determine the presence of