Acceptable Specimens: Hair, nail, or skin scraping
Hair 1. Using forceps, collect 3 to 5 affected hairs keeping shaft base intact. 2. Select hairs that fluoresce under a Wood’s lamp. 3. Collect scalp scales (if present) along with scrapings of active borders of lesions. 4. Place specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container. 5. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen. 6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only. Note: Specimen source is required on request form for processing.
Nail 1. Remove nail polish if present. 2. Wipe nail with 70% alcohol on gauze (not cotton). 3. Clip generous portion of affected area. 4. Collect material or debris from under nail. 5. Place specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container. 6. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen. 7. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only. Note: Specimen source is required on request form for processing.
Skin 1. Cleanse affected area with 70% alcohol on gauze (not cotton). 2. Gently scrape surface of skin at active margin of lesion. 3. Do not draw blood. 4. Collect enough scraping to cover the head of a thumbtack. 5. Place specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container. 6. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen. 7. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only. Note: Specimen source is required on request form for processing.
Transport Instructions
Specimen Stability
Methodology
Microbiology Culture
Days Performed
Monday through Saturday
Performing Laboratory
Northwell Health Laboratories If culture is positive, additional charge(s)/CPT code(s) may apply for identification and/or antibiotic susceptibilities performed when appropriate.
