Drug Testing Fingernail Tests

See a detailed history of any drug use that has occurred within the last several months, typically up to 6 months with a fingernail test from ARCpoint of Oceanside CA!

Fingernail and Toenail testing offers a thorough method of detecting drugs.

Similar to hair follicle testing, fingernails and toenails offer detailed information on drug use. Depending on the length of nail, evidence can be gathered that shows all drug ingestion that has occurred within the last 6-8 months.

How Fingernail Drug Testing Works

Drugs of abuse actually have been measured in nails since 1984. However, the need to test for longer detection periods have given Fingernail drug testing a new demographic to fill.

Like Hair, fingernails are composed of a hard protein called keratin and are tested with the same process as hair. Drugs are incorporated into nails from the blood stream and remain locked in the nail as it grows.

Drugs enter the nail from the base as the keratin is formed and via the nail bed that extends under the full length of nail.

The method of screening for drug use in a fingernail drug test is the five panel where, the fingernail is put in a chemical solution to rid the nail of external contaminants and is then liquefied.

ARCpoint of Oceanside CA method for testing fingernails:

• The nail is clipped or shaved for testing
• It is then cleaned thoroughly with a chemical substance
• The cleaned specimen is then liquefied and tested.

Nothing can alter the chemical composition of the nail's hard keratin protein, making it almost impossible to alter the test or artificially produce a negative test result.

How does fingernail testing work?

A. Fingernails and toenails are made of keratin, a hard protein. Similar to hair, drugs are incorporated into the protein from the blood stream. As the nail grows, evidence of the drug use is trapped in the keratin. After the sample is taken, it is cleaned in a chemical solution to destroy all external contaminants. Then it is liquefied and testing through a 5 or 10 panel screening.

Can fingernail polish alter fingernail test results?

A. After the specimen is taken, it is soaked in a chemical solution. This removes the surface of any external contaminants, including fingernail polish.

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