Skin cancer referral...

[graceadlerdesigns]

I saw a thread on here a while back about someone with a black line on their nail. I didn't think to much of it until I was changing my toenail varnish and saw a black streak on my toe.

My dh also noticed and commented on it later that evening (it must stand out because he never noticed anything else!)

I made an appt to see the doc today as I am having my whooping cough and flu jab (i am pregnant). I absolutely expectd the doc to say it was nothing... but he has referred me to the dermatology unit as he thinks it could be skin cancer.

My other thread in general got a lot of helpful replies ... I feel mad though we have really been through the mill this last few weeks and I have been to hospital with dh about 6 times in two weeks- I really didn't want this to be a 'thing' and just want to enjoy my pregnancy but it seems like I am always worrying.

I do know that if it is cancer then there is lots they can do and rates are very good etc but I just really really want to be ok.

Anyone have any positive stories to share?

One of the mums at my dd primary school was diagnosed with melanoma of her thumbnail she had a delay in diagnosis as she was fobbed off by GP saying it was a fungal nail, so it is really good you have been referred quickly.
She did need to have part of her finger amputated but there was no spread.
Obviously her treatment was delayed, so maybe why her treatment was more extreme.
Although you are obviously anxious it could be something less serious too.

Grace any chance you could post a pic? I have a small what looks like a freckle under my thumbnail. One of the docs did look through a magnifying thingy and said she didn't think it was anything but am awaiting an appointment with the doc who is more experienced in dermatology. The docs do refer you just to be on the safe side. In our practice there is only one doc who knows about skin problems and she hasn't worked in dermatology for years but the others always refer to her when there is a skin problem. Try not to worry. My DH was referred with similar to you and it just turned out to be a haemorrhage under the nail.

Please ignore the remnants of my nail varnish!

NK tbh I am so concerned about it being serious they could lop the whole thing off for all I care- I just want to be fit and well for my kids and family. I am very grateful to be referred so quicky- it was gp I haven't seen before so I have no idea how well versed he is on demratology. I saw him on Monday and have my appt on Friday so v quick.

Banana that is reassuring- hopefully this is something similar to your DH. I hope your freckle turns out to be equally insignificnt. Do you have to wait long for your next appt to get it checked ?

That looks just like DH's big toe and it turned out to be haemorrhage under the nail. Glad you will get it sorted so quickly. Good luck. My appointment with the GP who has more dermatology knowledge is in November but at least one of them has looked at it already and said it was nothing to worry about so hope she is right.l

Please let us know how it goes on Friday.

Ds had toes looking like that back in the summer, pointy shoes!
Do go for your appointment but it doesn't look like melanoma of the nail to me.

Thank you banana and nk. I am feeling more confident it isn't anything serious but will still go just to be sure. I know there is no great time for these things but I am so focussed on my dh's health at the mo I can only deal with one thing at a time!

Hi Grace. Hope things went well with your appointment.

I had one like that and it was a haematoma under the toenail. The skin cancer ones are blacker and more regular. A straight line from the base growing upwards, quite narrow.

It looks like blood under the nail to me. HOpe you are OK.

Looks like an injury to me rather than anything else. Hope your appointment went well

Hi all... Thank you for the kind words.

I saw a lovely dermatologist who some pics and scored my nail with a scalpel to show where the black bit currently ends/starts. He has asked me to go back in 2 months to double check it, but said to act on the basis that everything is ok.

So, one less thing to worry about but I am grateful for the very quick referral and being seen by some one so kind.