How To Take A Nail Sample

To take samples of the abnormal nail, and any debris between the nail and nail bed:

Wipe off any treatment creams, lotions, or powders with 70% alcohol before sampling.

If infection of the nail is suspected:

Use (chiropody) scissors or nail clippers to sample the diseased part of nail.

When clipping the nail, include the full thickness of the nail and extend as far back from the nail tip as possible; live fungi are most likely to be found in the part of of the diseased nails from where it is growing

Include scrapings of debris from the area between the nail and nail bed (if possible)

Collect the samples into folded dark paper squares ( if possible) , secure with a paper clip, and place in a specimen pot collected from the surgery or plastic bag. Label the sample clearly.

Keep the samples at room temperature; do not refrigerate them (nail fungi – [dermatophytes] die at low temperatures).

Fungal Nail Infections Tinea Unguium patient.info Website

Fungal Nail Infection British Association of Dermatologists Leaflet