What tests will be done to diagnose dystrophic nails?

What tests will be done to diagnose dystrophic nails?

Your healthcare provider may identify dystrophic nails after looking at your nails. The next step is diagnosing the cause or ruling out health conditions. Tests that can help determine the cause of dystrophic nails include:

• Blood tests: Your healthcare provider may test your blood to look for signs of certain health conditions like infections. They’ll collect a sample of your blood with a needle and send it to a lab for analysis.
• Nail biopsy: Your healthcare provider takes a small sample of your nail. They send the sample to a lab, where a lab technician looks at it under a microscope. Your healthcare provider may perform this test to check for psoriasis or other skin conditions that affect nails.
• Physical exam: During a physical exam, your healthcare provider examines you and evaluates your overall health. You’ll discuss how you feel and any health conditions you have.