Sterile container

Skin or nails

1. Clean lesions with 70% alcohol
2. Scrape the actively growing edge of lesion with a sterile scalpel or sterile microscope slide.
3. Place all scrapings in a sterile container and transport at room temperature.

Hair

1. Infected or suspected hairs should be plucked with sterile forceps.
2. Place hairs in sterile container and transport at room temperature.

All collection containers must be labeled with the complete patient name, along with a second unique identifier (i.e. date of birth).

Sterile container or

Two (2) slides taped together in slide box (skin scrapings)

Ambient

• Improper label (unlabeled or mislabeled)
• Time delay between time of collection and receipt of specimen
• Improper transport container
• Improper transport temperature
• Inappropriate specimen type

Microscopic examination

Negative