HAIR, SKIN, NAILS

Question 1

What are dermatophytes, and why are hair, skin, and nails collected for their recovery?

Answer 1

• Causing by cutaneous mycosis.

Question 2

How can infected hairs be selectively collected for dermatophyte recovery?

Answer 2

• Infected hairs that fluoresce under a Wood’s lamp may be selectively plucked using forceps.

Question 3

What precautions should be taken when collecting hairs for dermatophyte testing?

Answer 3

• Hairs should be collected in sterilized paper envelopes
• The surface of the skin must be disinfected with spirit before specimen collection.

Question 4

How is the advancing edge of a skin lesion collected for dermatophyte testing?

Answer 4

• The advancing edge of the lesion is scraped with a blunt forceps
• And collected in sterilized paper envelopes after skin disinfection.

Question 5

How can nail samples be collected for dermatophyte analysis?

Answer 5

• Discolored or hyperkeratotic areas of nails can be scraped, or diseased nail clippings
• May be collected in sterilized paper envelopes for dermatophyte testing.