Wood's lamp Created 2026-10-31 Updated 2026-11-05
A Wood's lamp supplies ultraviolet radiation for examining skin, making some differences in fluorescence or pigmentation easier to observe. Emitted visible light under illumination and ordinary surface appearance are different kinds of optical evidence. Some organisms or substances fluoresce while others do not, and surface materials can also contribute a signal. The observation therefore supplements clinical diagnosis rather than identifying every infection from color alone. [ref]
Wood lamp examination by MedlinePlus. Medical Encyclopedia: ultraviolet illumination, clinical uses and interfering materials