Nail testing
Quick, fast and painless: When hair testing is impractical, nail testing enables the detection of drug and alcohol use over extended periods
When hair testing isn’t an option, nail testing provides a reliable, versatile alternative.
We analyse samples using advanced lab techniques and provide results within three working days.
Like hair testing, nail testing can detect drug and alcohol use over the past three to 12 months, depending on whether the sample is a fingernail or toenail.
Our nail testing provides a reliable view of long-term substance use.
Unlike hair testing, however, nail tests cannot be used to indicate patterns of substance use – only indicating if a substance was used, not when. Nail tests are also not appropriate for detecting one-off drug or alcohol use.
Sample collection is fast and non-intrusive, and can be performed anywhere under the supervision of a trained collector. In this way, nail tests are extremely difficult to cheat.
Sample collection is only possible where fingernails and toenails are long enough, and where they have a normal appearance and are not contaminated with dirt, oil, nail polish or false nails.
We take additional care and judgement when collecting from a donor with peripheral artery disease or diabetes.
What you need to know about nail testing
Detection window:
The detection window is dependent on the type of nail clipping. A three-millimetre fingernail clipping might offer a six-month exposure history. A three-millimetre toenail clipping might offer a 12-month exposure history.
Collection method:
After cleaning their hands and washing under the nails, the donor clips their fingernail or toenail in front of a trained collector. Clippers must be cleaned before use.
Advantages:
Long detection window, for testing over long timeframes.
Non-intrusive sample collection method.
Collection can be observed.
Offers a useful alternative to hair testing, when a donor lacks hair on their head or body.
Disadvantages:
Method cannot be used to detect recent substance use.
Sample collection is only possible with fingernails or toenails over a certain length.
Toenail samples must not be collected if the donor suffers from peripheral artery disease or diabetes.
Unsuitable for confirming one-time substance use.
How does nail testing work?
Ingested substances are broken down into different metabolites inside our bodies, and can therefore be used as evidence of our substance use over time.
These chemical markers pass into nail tissue – keratin – via blood vessels underneath the nail. In turn, the metabolites become ‘trapped’ within the nail. As the nail grows longer and thicker, its layers provide a history of substance use.
Ingested substances are broken down into different metabolites inside our bodies, and can therefore be used as evidence of our substance use over time.
These chemical markers pass into nail tissue – keratin – via blood vessels underneath the nail. In turn, the metabolites become ‘trapped’ within the nail. As the nail grows longer and thicker, its layers provide a history of substance use.
Ingested substances are broken down into different metabolites inside our bodies, and can therefore be used as evidence of our substance use over time.
These chemical markers pass into nail tissue – keratin – via blood vessels underneath the nail. In turn, the metabolites become ‘trapped’ within the nail. As the nail grows longer and thicker, its layers provide a history of substance use.
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