Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Hair

Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 10-12 Pieces of Hair

Collection Instructions: For possible scalp fungal infections, hair roots are the best sample.  Pluck approximately 10 hairs from an active scaling area with a hemostat or rub a 2x2 gauze vigorously on an area of alopecia and scaling.  Place the broken-off hairs into a specimen container (the stool collection container works well) for transport to the laboratory.

Specimen Type: Nails and/or debris from under nail
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: Adequate amount

Collection Instructions: Laboratory staff can collect nail specimens, but if you would like to collect the sample, remove as much nail as possible with clean nail clippers to expose the most proximally involved area, then scrape the subungual debris onto a slide with a 1 to 2 mm curette.  Tape another slide over the first to contain the specimen.  Place the nail clippings and the glass slides into a specimen container (the stool collection container works well) for transport to the lab.

Specimen Type: Skin

Collection Instructions: Clean the skin with an alcohol preparation.  Use the side of a clean glass slide to scrape material loose from the leading edge of the lesion; if there are pustules or vesicles, scrape the roof onto a glass slide.  Tape another slide over the first to contain the specimen.  Place the slides into a specimen container (the stool collection container works well) for transport to the laboratory.