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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

Black line on thumbnail

180 replies

ImmortalityMyDarlings · 12/02/2018 13:27

I've already booked the GP appointment as I'm getting another issue checked out. I thought this was a pen mark but it's not. I was merely curious about it when I googled but noted skin melanoma is associated with black lines like these. I haven't hit it recently to cause trauma and it doesn't hurt.

Erm - anyone else had this?

Black line on thumbnail

OP posts:

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MyRelationshipIsWeird · 12/02/2018 13:34

Haven’t had it but was about to say get it checked. Hopefully it’s nothing to worry about but if it is, at least you’re getting it sorted. How long have you had it?

ImmortalityMyDarlings · 12/02/2018 13:38

A few days at least that I've noticed. Not long. I'm quite a health anxious person so I was on it quite quickly...

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MrsEricBana · 12/02/2018 23:51

I agree get it checked out and ask about subungual (ie under the nail) melanoma. If it reassures you at all, a podiatrist noticed this on the toenail of a relative of mine and sent her off to the GP who referred her to the skin cancer clinic at the hospital. They looked and recalled her after a month and it was all ok. It does need checking though just to be on the safe side.

fearfultrill · 12/02/2018 23:59

Definitely definitely get this checked out, I'm sure I read an article about a woman who was getting her nails done and her manicurist saw something like this and told her to go to the doctors and it was very serious. I don't say this to scare you just to encourage you to mention it when you're there for your other issue, better safe than sorry.

thegreylady · 14/02/2018 08:58

This needs to be checked. I had a subungual haematoma on each of my toenails. They were diffuse and spread horizontally. The doctor said the time to worry was if the discolouration was vertical. You seem to have found it early so don’t ignore.

ImmortalityMyDarlings · 14/02/2018 10:55

Christ. Ok - doc is tomorrow. What happened to your toes?

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MrsEricBana · 14/02/2018 11:23

A subungual haematoma is essentially a bruise and will grown off the end of your toe as nail grows (or fade) but a stripe is where essentially a mole under the nail is growing as the nail grows. My relative's case was similar to yours but not sinister. Still, definitely get it checked. Hope all ok.

butterybiscuitbasebasebase · 14/02/2018 12:47

Not to scare you at all, but someone told me this week they had a friend who had this on their toenail and it turned out to be cancer. I'm glad you're going to get it checked.

ImmortalityMyDarlings · 14/02/2018 13:36

The other thing I have is a breast lump. I'm honestly sh*tting my pants.

OP posts:

butterybiscuitbasebasebase · 14/02/2018 13:48

fingers crossed for you

fearfultrill · 14/02/2018 16:17

Good luck OP!

stressedoutfred · 14/02/2018 16:36

Thinking of you tomorrow OP

thegreylady · 15/02/2018 00:02

The bruising grew out of my toes eventually but it took ages.
I also had breast cancer 11 years ago but here I am. Just get checked quickly and all the very best to you

alotalotalot · 15/02/2018 00:04

ImmortalityMyDarlings · 15/02/2018 09:11

Ok so to update- saw doc this morning. I told him about what info comes up when you Google this! He had not heard of the story.

He was very straightforward - "I've never seen a melanoma like that" "they don't grow in precise straight lines" and because it had only been a week that I'd noticed it that it was v likely to be a piece of glass or plastic that had become stuck under my nail. If it hasn't gone away in 4-6 weeks I can come back and get some local anaesthetic and remove whatever is stuck in there. No skin clinic referral or follow up needed.

Oh and the boob lump - not only did I have a totally lovely female HCA come along as my escort (I had no idea this was a thing) but he felt my boob for about ten seconds and said "that's a cyst". But because I'd had it for two months he still wanted me to get an ultrasoun. To speed it up the referral does say "potential cancer" but he said not to lose an "inch of sleep" over this. The HCA said that she had had a cyst and it was fine which was also nice!

So I am fine, it would appear.

I'm really grateful for your thoughts and support

OP posts:

fearfultrill · 15/02/2018 09:13

Great news OP. I had a referral with the same written on and it turned out all fine. Nice to have things sorted quickly though!

loveyoutothemoon · 15/02/2018 11:18

Good news the doc doesn't seem worried about the lump.

What I'm a bit about is him saying you've had a piece of glass or plastic under your nail, I don't know why he's said this, because you would def know if this had happened.

I don't want to alarm you but black lines like this can be caused by autoimmune diseases/health problems. I'd get a second opinion.

MrsEricBana · 15/02/2018 11:34

Hi OP, been thinking about you. Fantastic news re the lump and even better that getting it checked out by ultrasound to be double sure. Re your nail, I'm sorry to say I agree with loveyoutothemoon - what you need to do is note in your diary the day you first noticed it, photograph it on your phone now, watch it for 4 weeks and if it hasn't gone or is wider/not growing out then go straight back to the GP and demand a referral. I'm afraid he's talking rubbish re melanomas not growing like that. They do if they're under a nail. Sorry to alarm you but don't ignore just yet x

ImmortalityMyDarlings · 15/02/2018 11:47

I'm going to take a photo of my thumb each week and then if it's not gone I'll go back, don't worry ☺️

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ImmortalityMyDarlings · 15/02/2018 11:52

Just remembered that I originally booked a GP appointment for two weeks' time and that's with a different doc. It was only because I was getting worried I booked a second one using the 48hr option. I think I should keep the booking for now... what do you reckon?

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alotalotalot · 15/02/2018 11:56

I'm sure I read an article about a woman who was getting her nails done and her manicurist saw something like this and told her to go to the doctors and it was very serious.

I've read very similar. Keep that other appointment op. If the doctor hasn't seen it before, how on earth can he confidently say it's nothing?

MrsEricBana · 15/02/2018 13:11

Definitely keep the appointment in two weeks and good that different doctor. The thing is now not to keep looking at it. Just compare the spaced out photos. Hopefully you can come back and tell us not to be such alarmist buggers!

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Jokat · 15/02/2018 13:18

I would also urge you to get another opinion. How silly to suggest you've got something stuck under there!! It would have hurt like hell and bled! And like someone else said, if he's never seen or heard of that in relation to cancer before, how would he know it doesn't look like that?

loveyoutothemoon · 15/02/2018 14:23

Yes keep that appointment.

Even if it grows out it doesn't mean it's not cause for concern. I get them (they grow out) due to chronic health conditions. Please ignore what the doc has said.

stressedoutfred · 15/02/2018 15:07

Please keep that app op, my scenario was different ( mine was a mole) but 2 different GP's failed to spot melanoma with me last year. Ive now got a big hole in my shin, which is very slowly healing. I was lucky as it was very thin, but my GP was never going to refer me ( and when they did, not as an urgent app!!) and only did as I was worried and wanted piece of mind. My dermatologist told me GP's sometimes struggle to spot melanoma

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