Nail Test Instructions

Instructions for Nail Submission

General Guidelines 

Be gentle with collected specimens. Handling can easily introduce microscopic artifacts.

Multiple toenails for onychomycosis may be submitted together

1. Wipe toenail collection site with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
2. Local anesthesia may or may not be required.
3. Debride and discard distal nail clippings.
4. Obtain specimen from most proximal area of nail.
5. Use curette to obtain additional subungual debris.
6. Place nail and subungual debris into an appropriately labeled dry keratin bag.