Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Acceptable Specimens:
Hair, nail, or skin scraping

Hair
1. Clip or pluck hairs from affected area and place in a screw-capped, sterile container or culture transport swab.
2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and time of collection, and type of specimen.

3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Nail or Skin Scraping
1. Wash site thoroughly with 60% isopropanol.
2. After drying site, scrape lesion with a sterile scalpel or edge of a glass slide.
3. Place specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container. Do not attempt to keep nail or skin scraping moist during transit.
4. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and time of collection, and type of specimen.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.