Page 4 | Aibu to go to GP about fingernail line?

Whowahway123 · 2023-10-20T05:48:24+00:00

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

audihere · 20/10/2023 19:47

I had a vertical black line on my big toenail. My GP took it seriously but reassured me it was fine. Best getting it checked.

BeansOnToast32 · 20/10/2023 19:48

Findyourneutralspace · 20/10/2023 18:18

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!)

I've for the exact same ridges on 5 fingers and 1 thumb. They've been there years.

Whoopsmahoot · 20/10/2023 19:54

Thought I should tell you my story. Had a nail that looked like that for 6 months, never grew out. Eventually sent a photograph to dr. Dr thought ok but got sent to dermatologist. Dermatologist thought ok but let’s do a biopsy just to be sure, no big deal. It was melanoma. Took 2 further operations to remove nail, nail bed and surrounding tissue by plastic surgeon. Amazingly neat job but totally unexpected. Please see about it - the vast majority are fine, I was unlucky. I’ll see if I can fine my original photo.

Longma · 20/10/2023 19:55

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enchantedsquirrelwood · 20/10/2023 20:13

I'd use e-consult or similar and send a photo. The GP can then get back to you if they think it needs looking at more closely.

But to me it looks like this, and I have similar on one of my nails. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Longitudinal-Ridging.aspx

What is Longitudinal Ridging?

Longitudinal ridging is found on the nails in the shape of vertical marks or lines running from the base of the fingernail to the top.

https://www.news-medical.net/health/Longitudinal-Ridging.aspx

Trying81 · 20/10/2023 21:01

Whoopsmahoot · 20/10/2023 19:54

Thought I should tell you my story. Had a nail that looked like that for 6 months, never grew out. Eventually sent a photograph to dr. Dr thought ok but got sent to dermatologist. Dermatologist thought ok but let’s do a biopsy just to be sure, no big deal. It was melanoma. Took 2 further operations to remove nail, nail bed and surrounding tissue by plastic surgeon. Amazingly neat job but totally unexpected. Please see about it - the vast majority are fine, I was unlucky. I’ll see if I can fine my original photo.

Please do share if you can; I saw the plastic surgeon 10 days ago and he thinks it’s not melanoma but the speed of the biopsy has me worried - I’ve had the biopsy once which was inconclusive and now it’s returned

Whoopsmahoot · 20/10/2023 21:18

I had 2 lines down the side of the nail, very straight. They look darker in the photograph than they actually were in real life. Every dr who saw it told me they were pretty sure it was fine but sensible to get it biopsied, they were all amazed it came back as melanoma. Sorted, small skin graft and 10% off manicures now. 🤣

HoogahToogah · 20/10/2023 21:22

I have a darker line and it's not melanoma. I've had it for 5 years. I don't think you have anything to worry about

CherryMyBrandy · 20/10/2023 21:24

I developed a brown line under one of my nails. Was referred to dermatology under 2WW (ie cancer pathway). Luckily it was fine (although I did get a full mole check out of it which was reassuring!(. Definitely get this checked by GP (not a pharmacist).

Overrunwithlego · 20/10/2023 21:43

Difficult to tell from the photo but if its a dark line then definitely get it checked out. My son has the same (see pic) and initially had a telephone appointment with the GP who immediately referred him in case it was cancerous. All was fine but he has just had another check of it a year later, as it got a bit thicker. Basically its a mole that it right at the base of nail - as the nail grows it takes the mole with it if that makes sense. So the line getting darker or wider is an indication that that mole is changing.

12bucklemyshoe34 · 20/10/2023 21:45

You absolutely should go to the GP. If it is what she thinks it could be then you need to get it treated fast and if it isn't then at least you have peace of mind knowing you got it checked.

12bucklemyshoe34 · 20/10/2023 21:47

BeansOnToast32 · 20/10/2023 19:48

I've for the exact same ridges on 5 fingers and 1 thumb. They've been there years.

Show quote history

It's not the ridges she's worried about, it's the dark vertical line.

ChChChCherryBomb · 20/10/2023 21:47

@Whowahway123 Hope you’ve managed to get a GP appointment and hope all is ok?

SpringboksSocks · 20/10/2023 21:50

Do you pick your fingers? I did and got a line just like this.

chachachachangesoolala · 20/10/2023 22:07

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 post!

Trying81 · 21/10/2023 10:08

Whoopsmahoot · 20/10/2023 21:18

I had 2 lines down the side of the nail, very straight. They look darker in the photograph than they actually were in real life. Every dr who saw it told me they were pretty sure it was fine but sensible to get it biopsied, they were all amazed it came back as melanoma. Sorted, small skin graft and 10% off manicures now. 🤣

Thanks for sharing, mine looks similar to that - it returned when I was pregnant and has got thicker and darker over the last year so definitely needs checking out

OP - your GP may not realise it can be melanoma but if you raise your concern they’ll refer you to dermatology under the 2 week cancer pathway.

sunflowerdaisyrose · 21/10/2023 10:39

I have had subungual melanoma and it started as a thin brown line but did become thicker. The NHS reassured me it was benign and discharged me. If it's brown or black you definitely need a referral to a dermatologist and, if they say it's ok and then it later changes, go back. If I'd not advocated for myself and pushed for a biopsy it could well have spread and I could have lost more than half a thumb.