Category
Dermatology Diagnostic
Typical Use
Detect pigmentary changes and certain infections under ultraviolet light.
Description
A handheld ultraviolet light source that accentuates epidermal pigmentary differences, porphyrin producing bacteria, and certain fungal infections by producing characteristic fluorescence patterns, aiding diagnosis of vitiligo, tinea versicolor, and erythrasma. Examination is performed in a darkened room with careful interpretation of fluorescence color and distribution, and findings are corroborated with clinical exam and laboratory tests when needed. Woods lamp is a low cost adjunct in dermatology and primary care that supports triage and targeted sampling for confirmatory testing.