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AIBU?

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Original poster

this could be subungual melanoma

38 replies

battenburg100 · 10/06/2023 13:00

Hi everyone
I was advised today by 111 to get an emergency appoinment with my GP within the next THREE days, due to a brown streak and black mark under my big toe nail - the possibility of it maybe being a subungual melanoma, a rare type of skin cancer.
I'm just writing to you all for support to help me through until Monday when I can hopefully see my GP, as I'm now highly anxious and finding every minute hard whilst waiting.
I was hoping if any Mumsnetters could tell me if you have had strange marks under your big toe nail and it has turned out to be nothing - just something to hold on to and stop me descending in to panic.
The brown streak I have had for 3 months and the black mark came the last 2 weeks. I havent had an injury to the toe nail, so it can't be trauma related.
My Mum had melanoma but this was related to sun exposure - subungual melanoma is not sun related - however there is a family history therefore of melanoma.
The outcomes of subjungual melanoma are very very bad - I'm just hoping as it is a very rare cancer, that it wont be likely that I could I have it.
I know you are not medics, but have you had anything similar and it turned out to be nothing?
Thank you

OP posts:
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KimberleyClark · 27/03/2026 10:52

battenburg100 · 02/07/2023 18:02

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for all your posts - they have really helped me through a difficult time. Here's an update on what happened - so the nhs consultant who I was on the 2 week cancer pathway with, said it is blood under the toe nail and not skin cancer - possibly from a trauma I didn't remember or hiking or even shoes. I'm so relieved and impressed with how quickly the NHS dealt with it all.
x

So good to hear. Mine was dealt with quite quickly too.

KimberleyClark · 27/03/2026 10:51

Yes I had a black mark under my big toenail and couldn’t think of anything that could have caused it. Referred to dermatologist by GP. It was nothing. He snapped the nail off and it grew back normally.

Cajungranny · 27/03/2026 10:46

My toe has looked like that for about a month and half now

kakegurui · 27/10/2025 06:13

I'm (24F) currently waiting for my dermatology appointment for something that looks awfully similar to this, probably even worse.

Extremely anxious and terrified, to say the least.

Bethany24 · 01/09/2025 20:48

Did you get a diagnosis? I have the exact same thing but on both toes and no trauma

this could be subungual melanoma
this could be subungual melanoma
this could be subungual melanoma
this could be subungual melanoma
Opalfruits1969 · 30/04/2025 21:03

Sorry, now seen the updates.

I feel relieved now.

Opalfruits1969 · 30/04/2025 20:58

Hi,

I know it is 2 years since you posted this(I have just joined) and I have the exact same line and I was wondering if you were able to let me know what the diagnosis was.
I am asking after having found the same think on my big toenail, the Nurse Practioner yesterday said to come back in 2-3 weeks to see if it's grown as it is not the classic subungual melanoma.
I am concerned as my Mother had melanoma under a fingernail and I told her this to.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

ILikePistachios · 17/05/2024 01:58

Bobcat2024 · 17/05/2024 01:39

Hi,
I think mine is similar to yours in a way .. will be interesting to hear what yours is. I tend to think mine might be a fungal infection.
I can't reach my toenails to cut them well with my back pain at the minute and struggled to remove my nail polish. All the best

This thread is almost a year old. OP reported back that it wasn't cancer, just blood under the nail possibly caused by some unknown trauma.

Bobcat2024 · 17/05/2024 01:39

Hi,
I think mine is similar to yours in a way .. will be interesting to hear what yours is. I tend to think mine might be a fungal infection.
I can't reach my toenails to cut them well with my back pain at the minute and struggled to remove my nail polish. All the best

this could be subungual melanoma
AllyCart · 02/07/2023 18:14

That's great news, OP.

You must be so very relieved.

hamsterballs · 02/07/2023 18:09

That is amazing news OP. I am really relieved for you. I recently had a silmilar issue where a skin colour mole turned black. I assumed the worst but it was blood under it.

Original poster
battenburg100 · 02/07/2023 18:02

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for all your posts - they have really helped me through a difficult time. Here's an update on what happened - so the nhs consultant who I was on the 2 week cancer pathway with, said it is blood under the toe nail and not skin cancer - possibly from a trauma I didn't remember or hiking or even shoes. I'm so relieved and impressed with how quickly the NHS dealt with it all.
x

OP posts:
changedusername190 · 12/06/2023 19:01

I got something like this a couple of years ago.in my case I went to kick a wedge under the door and it went flying but my toe went under the door. By the time it arrived I had forgotten all about it. Hope yours comes back clear.

AppleDumplingWithCustard · 12/06/2023 18:01

It is unlikely to be a melanoma as it doesn’t extend to the bottom margin of your nail.

CarrieO · 12/06/2023 17:48

I had very similar and it turned out that it was a new (harmless) mole under my nail that had grown in a weird shape because it was growing under the nail.

keeping fingers crossed for you.

georgarina · 12/06/2023 17:47

DD had this and it turned out to be nothing and eventually grew out. Very stressful time. Good luck <3

Username9917 · 12/06/2023 17:47

Oh my goodness, sending you the biggest hug and praying it's all ok xx

Original poster
battenburg100 · 12/06/2023 17:43

Hi everyone, here's an update from my GP as promised. He gave me an urgent 2 week referral. He has worked in the dermatology department of the hospital that I am being referred to, so straight away I knew he would have more insight in to what the problem is.

He said, there's a possiblity of subjungual melanoma, which straight away made my anxiey levels heighten, though he did say, things have come back that look like that and have been fine.
I know how deadly this type of cancer can be and have been so unbelivably anxious, I have booked a consultation with a private hospital as the 2 week wait is too much for my head to take. - so I will see someone privately in a few days. If you want me to keep you updated, I would be happy to do this.

OP posts:
pbdr · 11/06/2023 16:15

As previous posters have mentioned, subungal melanomas typically present as a symmetrical longitudinal stripe extending from the base of the nail but not involving the nail fold. The shape of this lesion would be very atypical for a subungal melanoma. If I saw you (I'm a GP) I'd still make an urgent referral as a precaution, and you should absolutely follow this up, but I'd be expecting melanoma to be excluded rather than confirmed here.

Ruth2009 · 11/06/2023 15:49

Subungual melanoma usually presents as a clearly defined longitudinal line on the nail plate, extending into the skin of the cuticle.
Pain, fast growth would also be a red flag.
That does not look too concerning to me, but best to get it checked out.
Hope it turns out to be nothing, keep us informed if you can xx

CoachBeardsJane · 10/06/2023 16:30

subungual melanoma usually (not always) presents as a vertical stripe all the way up the nail.

fuckmyuteruslining · 10/06/2023 16:12

Good idea to update us op. You never know when somebody else will be looking for advice on a similar topic.

CindersAgain · 10/06/2023 15:45

Even if it does turn out to be, unless you have reason to think it has spread, the outcome looks good to me, from a quick google?

Zarataralara · 10/06/2023 15:41

I’ve had them for years, it’s honestly never occurred to me to see a doctor. They disappear , maybe grow out I’ve really no idea, then come back.

Tidsleytiddy · 10/06/2023 15:32

Are you sure you’ve not dropped something on your toe? It looks bruised and how i’d expect it look if something heavy had been dropped on it x