Not Sure If It's Fungus? Don't Guess. Test.

Thick, discoloured or crumbly nails are often blamed on fungus, but the same changes can also be caused by trauma (such as tight shoes or sports), psoriasis, bacterial infection and other conditions, and they can look very similar. Our kit checks whether fungal DNA is present in your nail sample, so you and your healthcare provider have more information before deciding on next steps.

qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) is a laboratory method that detects the DNA of the fungi that commonly cause nail infections. It is very sensitive and does not depend on growing a culture, which can take weeks. No test is 100% accurate, though: a false negative can happen if the clipping does not contain enough affected nail, and a positive result means fungal DNA was detected, which does not on its own explain every nail change. Following the collection instructions carefully gives you the best chance of a reliable result. Our results guide explains what to do if your result is negative but your nail still looks abnormal.

Kits ship within 24 hours with free tracked shipping. Once your sample arrives back with us, your results are emailed to you within 4–14 days. Postal delivery times to and from you depend on where you live. You can see a sample report to know what to expect.

Yes. Enter your order number and the email address you ordered with on our Track Your Test page to see whether your kit has shipped, your sample has arrived, testing is in progress or your results have been sent. Your order number is shown on your order confirmation page and on your PayPal receipt email (as the transaction ID). New orders can take up to 1 business day to appear. See how to track your test for what each status means.

Remove any nail polish, then wash and dry your foot or hand. Wipe the nail and the clipper with the included alcohol swab. Clip from the most affected part of the nail, taking as much of the discoloured or thickened nail as you comfortably can, along with any crumbly material from under the edge. Seal the clippings in the sample pouch, fill in the form with your order number, and mail everything back in the prepaid return envelope.

Every result is reviewed by a licensed Canadian podiatrist with over 50 years of experience, before your written report is emailed to you.

Yes. Kits ship in plain, unmarked packaging and your results are emailed only to you. Your sample is used only to test for fungal DNA. It is never used for human genetic testing or research, and it is securely destroyed after testing. See our Privacy Policy for details.

A positive result means fungal DNA was detected in your sample. Talk to a healthcare provider or pharmacist about treatment options that are right for you, and bring your report along. This test is not a substitute for advice from a healthcare provider. If you have diabetes, poor circulation, a weakened immune system, pain, swelling or signs of infection, see a healthcare provider promptly. For more detail, read our guide to understanding your results.

We are based in New Brunswick, Canada, and ship to Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and Australia, with prices shown in your local currency. Shipping is free and tracked. Outside Canada, any local taxes, duties or import fees are the customer's responsibility. If your country isn't listed, email support@fungalnailtest.com and ask.

Yes. Podiatrists, chiropodists, foot-care nurses and pedicure spas can order wholesale bulk packs. Visit our For Clinics page or email support@fungalnailtest.com. Ordering for your household? You automatically save 15% at checkout when you buy 3 or more kits (this can't be combined with promo codes such as WELCOME10; the larger discount applies).

Because each kit is a single-use sampling product, all sales are final once your kit has shipped. If you need to cancel, contact us before it ships for a full refund. If your kit arrives damaged or incomplete, email us within 14 days of delivery and we'll send a replacement free of charge. Full details are in our Terms of Service.

Yes. Our Free Retest Promise: if your sample can’t be tested or your result comes back inconclusive, we’ll send you a free replacement kit. Just email support@fungalnailtest.com with your order number within 30 days of getting your result (or our note that your sample couldn’t be tested). It’s one free replacement kit per order. It’s a replacement kit, not a refund. See our Terms of Service.