Aibu to go to GP about fingernail line?

[Whowahway123]

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

As for the voting:

I believe that you should definitely get this seen by a GP (or a nurse who works in your GP practice etc).

but I initially voted YABU because it would be extremely unreasonable to not make the appointment. Not because it would be unreasonable to make it.
=> I suspect that others may have voted the same way🤔

I dunno, it could be read as 'lucky you' full stop. We have been told it's emergency appointments only for our GP and to contact 111 or pharmacy for everything else

It isn't very helpful as actual emergencies would surely go to A+E, so I don't know what a GP emergency would even be.

I would definitely get in touch with GP especially if you have an online request feature at yours. I messaged about a raised unusual looking ingrown hair that had been there for a while but no longer had any pain and turned shiny and with irregular edges. I expected to book me in in a few weeks as obviously wasn't 'urgent needs to be seen today'. They got me in to see the ANP that morning who had a free slot and she wasn't happy with the presentation so got the GP through for a quick look who wasn't so concerned and gave me something to sort it which worked.

I have one of those, have for years. The GP said it was caused by trauma. I'd definetly go and get it checked though, mines a lot darker than yours

You do need to get any dark vertical lines within the nail bed checked out!

Can’t understand some of the snarky responses tbh!

Bob Marley sadly ignored his https://www.skincancer.org/blog/bob-marley-should-not-have-died-from-melanoma/

Well, it's unfortunate that you can't get an appointment for your particular health issues, but is there any need to make a sarky remark about someone who needs a potential melanoma checked out?

If its a dark line it could be skin cancer. Hard to see but it looks dark to me. I know the nhs has gone to shit, but why risk ignoring possible cancer? If your gp can't see I'd go private.

Well this thread has been very useful - I didn’t know this was a thing. I also didn’t know about mole checking services - my DH went to the Drs about a teeny tiny mole which I had t even noticed. Got a face to face appointment pretty quickly. It turned out to be of no concern but i don’t think they had any issue in getting it checked.

Google Terry's Nails this might give you some indication if there is anything wrong. There is also Lyndsey Nails - but that shows brown marks on the nail bed.

And? How is that their fault or issue? It’s known that with GP services, it is unfortunately a postcode lottery.

The nails can show signs of underlying issues. It’s why it is suggested to keep an eye on any noticeable changes in your fingernails and toenails.

A GP emergency would surely include any suspicions of cancer that need a referral under the two week pathway, like a breast lump or dodgy mole. IP's comes under that category - likely fine but needs to be checked.

OP the nail tech obviously won't be medically trained but she'll have a good sense of what's normal. Make the call.

I would because someone with a lot of experience with nails has expressed concern.

I have two of these on two different nails attached a pic for comparison - I think the skin cancer that can look like this is usually slightly darker than the picture you have posted and it doesn't usually span the whole length nail.

I went to the GP about mine and they didn't seem concerned in the slightest - maybe I should go back tho!

Ignore that - after googling pictures they definitely do span the length of the nail!

This reminds me of when I went to the GP about nipple growths that turned out to be pimples (yes I'll probably need to see a second GP to electric shock away the physical shame still lingering in my body).

I thought the case was closed, especially since there was a long queue outside, and I was almost out of my seat getting dressed... But then she was so fascinated and peering, and suddenly blurted "can I just –" with her fingers twitching, and then before I could say yes or no reached out with some tissues and squeeeeezed for ages while making sounds of satisfaction. I wish I was making this up.

The OP has a line of pigment in her nail, not just a vertical ridge

Really? I’ve had one on my ring finger I’ve ignored for a couple of years and a new one appearing on my little finger. I might mention it to the GP when I’m there later this month after reading this!

(Excuse my manky nails - I really need a manicure!)

These are exactly the same as mine! And on exactly the same fingers!

If you’re worried, which it sounds like you are, go to see your gp. It’s better to be safe with these things. I hope it all goes well.

Are the symptoms making you an arsehole? There's no need for this, seperate your life from others

Is the line brown/ black?

I’m having a nail bed biopsy tomorrow for the same - I do have a history of non melanoma skin cancer though

https://dermnetnz.org/topics/melanonychia

This describes it. Many causes.
Make sure the line is visible a bit clearer ( bright light pic) when you send in

Can you take a better picture?
It looks like the shadow from a nail ridge. A ridge on the nail is normal and sign of aging. But it could also be a dark line in the nailbed - really hard to tell.
If it is in the nailbed you should definitely go to the GP.
The nail tech will have seen thousands of nails so I think if she's saying you should see the GP then you should - she'll see nails every day which have aging ridges on them.

‘Those who can’t, teach?’?! Do you have any idea how difficult it is to be a GP? To spot the one handful of cancers that need referring against the hundreds of similar presentations (GPs get audited/criticised for referring too many cases to secondary care but it’s your GMC number on the line if you miss something), to assess who you can manage at home and who needs to go into hospital, to be the dumping ground for heaven knows how many jobs from secondary care, to be seeing increasing lists of patients with less and less resources. I’m obviously not saying all GPs are perfect but being a good GP without completely burning out is one of the hardest jobs in medicine. Only to be treated with relentless contempt by the media and public.

I have seen a post on social media with a person with a dark red/brown vertical line and it was indicative of possible cancer. Could she be confusing it with that?