answersLogoWhite

0

Definition

A skin culture is a laboratory test to look for and identify disease-causing substances in a sample of skin. It is called a mucosal culture if the sample involves the mucous membranes.

Alternative Names

Mucosal culture; Culture - skin; Culture - mucosal

How the test is performed

A sample of skin or mucous membrane is needed. For information on how this is done, see:

The sample is sent to a laboratory and placed in a special dish (called a culture medium). The laboratory team checks the dish at different time periods to see if bacteria, virus, or fungus has grown. Further tests can be done to identify the specific organism and determine the best treatment.

How to prepare for the test

There is no preparation needed for a culture. For information on how to prepare for a skin or mucosal sample, see:

How the test will feel

The laboratory test does not involve the patient, so it is painless. For information on how it may feel to give a skin or mucosal sample, see:

Why the test is performed

Your doctor may order this test if you have signs or symptoms of an acute or chronic infection of the skin or mucous membranes.

Normal Values

A normal result means no disease-causing organisms are seen on the skin or mucosal sample.

Some microorganisms normally live on the skin. These are not a sign of infection and are considered a normal finding.

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

What abnormal results mean

An abnormal result means bacteria, fungus, or virus is present. This may be a sign of infection.

What the risks are

A laboratory culture does not pose a risk to the patient. For information on risks related to removing a sample of skin or mucosal tissue, see:

References

Armstrong CA. Examination of the skin and approach to diagnosing skin diseases. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 462.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What makes the results of a skin culture normal?

Many types of microorganisms are normally found on a person's skin. Presence of these microorganisms is noted on a skin culture report as "normal flora."


What is a skin culture?

A skin culture is a test that is done to identify the microorganism (bacteria, fungus, or virus) causing a skin infection and to determine the antibiotic or other treatment that will effectively treat the infection.


How important is the culture to the How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin?

what were the conflicts in the story how the rhino got its skin


Is a skin graft an application of tissue culture?

Yes.


The changing American belief from tanned skin being healthy to tanned skin being related to skin cancer is an example of culture being?

An example of culture being dynamic and evolving as societal beliefs and knowledge change.


What is difference between race and culture?

culture would be where you come form and race would be the colour of your skin. Hope this helps :)


What kind of culture and tradition did apache have?

they danced to music on drums and animal skin


What characteristics does a successful wound culture have?

A normal culture may be contaminated by a mixture of microorganisms normally found on a person's skin (normal flora).


Black skin white mask 1952?

black adapted the culture of white man or colonizer


What did the pueblo culture wear?

deerskin and fur and bear skin the children didn't were any clothing


How do you make a model Human skin cell?

To make a model human skin cell, you would need to culture human skin cells in a lab setting. This involves isolating primary human skin cells, such as fibroblasts or keratinocytes, and growing them in a suitable cell culture medium. These cells can then be used for various research purposes, drug testing, or tissue engineering applications.


What has the author I N Gasiunas written?

I. N. Gasiunas has written: 'Glycosaminoglycan synthesis by human skin fibroplasts in culture'