BACKGROUND: The use of fluorochromes such as Blankophor or Calcofluor allows to detect immediately and without ambiguity fungal elements in dermatological preparations. Whereas fluorescence microscopy is widely practised in clinical laboratories, it is not generally used in private practice because of the high price of a epifluorescence microscope. OBJECTIVE: To propose an economical microscope configuration to visualize fungal elements using fluorescence. METHODS: The preparations were examined with a standard microscope for routine observations, equipped with only two supplementary filters. RESULTS: Because the fungal elements produce a particularly bright fluorescence, a 25-watt halogen light is sufficient to visualize them in dermatological preparations: CONCLUSIONS: The proposed microscope configuration for direct mycological examination is particularly economical since equipment for epifluorescence and a vapour mercury lamp are not necessary.