Hi Nina,

I have used Nair before to soften finger and toenails.  You can either
place the nail in a blob of full-strength Nair for 30 minutes or so before
processing (be careful with very small specimens), or spread some over your
trimmed paraffin block for the same time, or both!

Tracey

>Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2001 08:23:22 -0400
>From: "Rich, Nina J Ms WACH" 
>Subject: Nair to soften nails
>To: "Histonet (E-mail)" 
>MIME-version: 1.0
>X-scanner: scanned by Inflex 0.1.5c - (http://www.inflex.co.za/)
>
>I would like to know if anyone has had any experience using Nair to soften
>toenails and fingenails. I know I have heard of using this before but am not
>sure of the details.
>Do you just mix a little Nair in water or use it full strength?  And how
>long do you leave it soaking?  Has anyone had any other experience using
>something else to soften nails?  We will be doing fungus stains on these
>specimens as well.  Any help would greatly be appreciated.  Jean
>

Tracey Gunn
Histology Service Unit
University of Otago
Dunedin
New Zealand

Phone: (03) 479 7152
Fax: (03) 479 7136