Wood’s lamp

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Wood's lamp illumination

Wood's lamp test - of the scalp

Wood's lamp is a test that is performed in a dark room, shining ultraviolet light on the area of interest.

Black light test; Ultraviolet light test

You will be seated and the lights will be turned off. The health care provider will turn on the Wood's lamp and hold it four to five inches from the area being studied. The health care provider will look at your skin for any color changes. You should not look directly into the light.

No special preparation is needed. If you are treating the area in question with any topical medications, you may wish to skip an application before visiting the doctor.

You will feel nothing during this test.

Your health care provider may perform this test to detect several conditions, including:

• Bacterial infections
• Fungal infections
• Porphyria
• Pigmentary alterations

Review Date: 10/13/2006
Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.