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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to go to GP about fingernail line?

92 replies

Whowahway123 · 20/10/2023 06:48

Aibu to go to GP about fingernail line?

I called in to price a manicure yesterday because I haven’t had one since lockdown and it was a ‘treat yourself’ moment.

the lovely girl explained she could do it there and then but leave my ring finger out as she wants me to have a GP look at the vertical line (pic) It’s hard to capture with bad lighting but now she has mentioned it, it’s all I can see.

thoughts if I’m being unreasonable to request a GP appointment?

thanks

Aibu to go to GP about fingernail line?
OP posts:
margotrose · 20/10/2023 07:04

TheyreEatingThemInNelsonAndTheBluff · 20/10/2023 06:57

It’s really common to have verticals lines, especially once we start to get older.

Vertical nail ridges are fairly common and nothing to worry about. Vertical nail ridges extend from the cuticle to the tip of the nail. With age, vertical nail ridges may become more numerous or prominent because of changes in cell turnover within the nail.

We're not talking about the ridges, we're talking about the very prominent dark line under the nail.

Juke1 · 20/10/2023 07:04

If you have Online Consult then you can submit on there with photos. I would take some clearer photos though, that one is a bit blurry and there’s light reflecting on the cuticle area which obscures the view!

wiseoldtree · 20/10/2023 07:04

Ring GP and explain and they'll probably ask for you to send over the picture to start with. If they're concerned they can go from there.

Elopelo · 20/10/2023 07:05

Hi @Whowahway123 I have sent you a PM.

PureAmazonian · 20/10/2023 07:05

Whowahway123 · 20/10/2023 06:56

I haven’t requested an appointment, that is literally my Aibu! I don’t want to waste the GPs when there are people like you who actually require an appointment!

It could be nothing, it could be something, MN isn't going to be able to tell you that. A doctor will.

Fucksakekids · 20/10/2023 07:05

YANBU.
does your practice have an E-consult you can do online and explain/send photos?
I agree if someone very experienced at looking at nails is telling you to get it checked you totally should.

Lookatmytoes · 20/10/2023 07:06

Check any discolouration you can’t explain. You have a good nail trch

Bubbles254 · 20/10/2023 07:07

If you meant the vertical ridge it is usually just down to aging. Discoloured lines under the nail are worth checking out but I couldn't see this in your photo.

megletthesecond · 20/10/2023 07:10

The photo isn't very clear but if it's a mark on the nail bed (and you haven't bashed it) then yes, get it checked out.

HasleOs · 20/10/2023 07:14

If the line runs from the bottom of your nail I wouldn’t hesitate to get it checked out. Good luck.

WolfFoxHare · 20/10/2023 07:16

I think quite a few people think it’s a ridge in the OP’s nail, but it looks to me like a (fairly faint) pigmented line, and they can be indicative of a skin cancer lesion in the nail bed. So yes, she should get it checked out.

PosterBoy · 20/10/2023 07:16

People go to the GP about all kinds of ridiculous nonsense... ask any GP ... and yet some people avoid going over serious issues because they don't want to bother them.

Couldn't say which category this falls into but I wouldn't feel bad about wasting GP time when half the consults that day would be doing that anyway.

Maybe ask to see the nurse or start with the pharmacy and take it from there. Now someone has pointed it out to you, you will only worry anyway til it's been looked at.

Was this nail technician actually experienced, as posters think, or new? Your photo to me doesn't look like a dark line (although it does to other posters and the nail technician?), and your skin doesn't look dark skinned, it isn't the thumb, not sure of your age but hands don't look those of a 60+ year old. So when you get it checked out I would remain calm if you do get a referral as your odds are high that it's not a melanoma.

Valerianandfoxglovesoup · 20/10/2023 07:17

To the people saying Google or see a pharmacist..

THIS IS WHAT GPS ARE FOR

They are the equivalent of those who can't, teach. They are not particularly useful if you need emergency care or specialist surgery but they are pretty good at looking at piles, fingers and tonsils. It's their bloody job!!!

margotrose · 20/10/2023 07:23

Bubbles254 · 20/10/2023 07:07

If you meant the vertical ridge it is usually just down to aging. Discoloured lines under the nail are worth checking out but I couldn't see this in your photo.

It's not a ridge, it's a pigmented line under the nail.

Gettingbysomehow · 20/10/2023 07:24

You need to get it checked out. Dark vertical lines can be malignant. We had one in our clinic the other day on a toenail and none of us could decide whether it was or not and it turned out to be malignant. It probably won't be but do you want to take that risk. My surgery requests photos usually.

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 20/10/2023 07:30

Get it checked! How is that even a question?

you remind me of my SO. The day he’ll willingly go to the GP is probably when he’ll spontaneously lose a foot! (which will hopefully never happen. knock on wood…)

JuliaJohnstone · 20/10/2023 07:30

A dark line needs to be seen by your GP just to make sure. You're not wasting their time, it's important!

Regholdsworthswaterbed · 20/10/2023 07:31

OP definitely go. It can be a sign of cancer, it's probably nothing but better to look a bit daft than the alternative. It's not wasting GPs time, it's a valid concern and it's what GPs are there for. I'm sick of this attitude that your head needs to be falling off before someone sees a GP, it's actually a dangerous attitude. GO.

Ollifer · 20/10/2023 07:34

No idea why a couple have been snarky about the op contacting a gp for something like this. It could be melanoma, why would you risk leaving it because 'gp surgeries are busy'?? Fuck that.

PosterBoy · 20/10/2023 07:36

Valerianandfoxglovesoup · 20/10/2023 07:17

To the people saying Google or see a pharmacist..

THIS IS WHAT GPS ARE FOR

They are the equivalent of those who can't, teach. They are not particularly useful if you need emergency care or specialist surgery but they are pretty good at looking at piles, fingers and tonsils. It's their bloody job!!!

It's also what pharmacists and trained nurses are for.

They are all just different ways of screening then referring to the actual experts ... dermatologists ... in any case.

As a general point for people with moles they are worried about, you can find a pharmacy that has a mole checking service eg here. I'm not sure if they assess nails but they would be able to tell you that pretty quickly

https://www.boots.com/healthhub/skin-services/mole-scanning-service

Mole Scanning Service - Boots Health Hub

Find out how you can use our Mole Scanning Service to get your moles checked

https://www.boots.com/healthhub/skin-services/mole-scanning-service

Regholdsworthswaterbed · 20/10/2023 07:43

Marmalady75 · 20/10/2023 06:54

Lucky you having a local GP service where you can get an appointment for a fingernail bump. I’ve been trying to get one for weeks for horrendous menopause symptoms.

What a ridiculous snarky post.

Original poster
Whowahway123 · 20/10/2023 07:45

Sorry for causing such a ruckus over a nail so early in the morning.

Nail tech v experienced, she could have just done a set & got her £40 without mentioning anything.

I’ll try to get some clearer pic in natural daylight and call in to my local pharmacy and/email pic to surgery nurse.

as someone pointed out, that’s exactly what the GP is for (literally their job) but there is such a hesitation in seeking help from them as per the opinions on this thread (& the voting) it really does make you question severity etc

however I have previously sent a partner to the GP for an unusual mole and this should be no different.

thanks all

OP posts:
Pleaseenterausername · 20/10/2023 07:47

Don’t go to a pharmacist you need to go to the doctors and get a referral for a dermatologist. My husband had this although it was a lot worse but luckily all his tests came back clear. He has to be rechecked every 6 months but yes it can be a sign of cancer amongst other normal things

hellohellothere · 20/10/2023 07:48

Marmalady75 · 20/10/2023 06:54

Lucky you having a local GP service where you can get an appointment for a fingernail bump. I’ve been trying to get one for weeks for horrendous menopause symptoms.

Did you get out of the wrong side of the bed today?

Mia2468 · 20/10/2023 07:49

You can submit photos to our GP and they will either ask to see you in person or diagnose from the photo. Maybe if you could get a better photo or two this could be an option.
Ive had treatment for a skin problem diagnosed from a photo and now have stuff to paint on the area. If not better in 4 weeks then Im to make an appointment

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