Preliminary at 1 week. Final negative 4 weeks. Final positive > 4 weeks.
CPT Code:
87101
Specimen Collection Details
Collection:
Skin scrapings, nail scrapings, or hair in a clean, dry plastic container. Skin: Clean the infected area with 70% alcohol. Gently scrape the surface of the skin at the active margin of the lesion with the edge of a sterile scalpel, sterile tongue blade, or the edge of a sterile slide. Send scalpel, tongue blade, or slide along with the scrapings. Hair: With forceps, collect at least 10-12 affected hairs with the base of the shaft intact. For hairs broken off at scalp level, use the edge of a scalpel or knife blade to remove the shaft. Collect scalp scales, if present, along with scrapings of active borders of lesions. Nails: Wipe nail(s) with 70% alcohol. Remove outermost layer by scraping with a scalpel and discard these scrapings. Collect deeper scrapings and material from under the nail for culture.
Stability:
72 hours ambient. Specimen unstable refrigerated or frozen.