Black line on thumbnail

[ImmortalityMyDarlings]

I've already booked the GP appointment as I'm getting another issue checked out. I thought this was a pen mark but it's not. I was merely curious about it when I googled but noted skin melanoma is associated with black lines like these. I haven't hit it recently to cause trauma and it doesn't hurt.

Erm - anyone else had this?

Ah bless you OP! Hope you're not in too much pain

Eek! Ouch.

I’m so glad you’ve had the procedure done though. Right from the start when I saw your photo and the GP’s response I was concerned for you, but didn’t want to pile in with the posts saying “go back!” as I saw that you had it in hand.

You’ll be back to tickling those ivories in no time

Also glad it's done. Finger's crossed the results of the biopsy will be fine and you'll be back on the piano in no time. I'm still a bit gobsmacked by your initial GP consultation though. A bit of glass...??

Still you've done the right thing. Well done for being brave.

The hospital called and said the original date they had for talking to me about my results is too optimistically early (was like ten days time) and instead it should be at the end of August, as they have to do tests on both bits they took out of my thumb. They aren’t sure if they want to test both bits (nail itself and black bit).

Waiting that long is going to be hard.

Is histology supposed to take that long? How long does a biopsy for dodgy skin things normally take?

Any advice on coping with the wait and the pulsing pain in my whole hand would be helpful. The heat ain’t helping...

But everyone around me irl is being fab and lovely. Going theatre tonight.

I've been following your posts OP. So glad breast lump was okay and hoping this is too. Take care of yourself. X

Thank you

5 weeks seems a long time for an urgent histology report! Hope your thumb heals well xx

Fingers crossed for you x

Hope you had a great night at the theatre - what did you see?

Sorry, no tips but I hope you have lots of nice things planned over the summer to distract you while you wait. Makes my toes curl thinking about it throbbing, you poor thing!

Hi Immortality, So glad they're getting on with inestigating. Hopefully nothing but assuming it was a bit of glass was incredibly crap of that GP. Just to reassure you while you wait, a relative of mine went down this road with a mark on her toenail and it wasn't anything dodgy in the end. I agree histology shouldn't take that long but maybe the not rushing thing is reassuring in some ways. Try not to worry too much and keep busy with lovely things like your theatre trip. (I had a mammogram today and I'm anxious and they said letter in 2-3 week which seems ages given that I know that an expert could just look at the scan there and then (as happened years ago when I had one before)). 💐💐

i had a mole/freckle removed and IIRC they said up to 6 weeks but results were available after 2-3 weeks. this was in 2009 though and it came back benign, not sure if if it was marked urgent or fast tracked, i was still a teenager at the time so not sure if that made a difference. i just went to my GP for the results.

make sure you have ibuprofen and maybe some codeine/paracetamol to help. i would focus on the fact that its gone now, so its probably already been dealt with if it does turn out to be something sinister. hopefully its benign though. get some nice audiobooks or podcasts to distract yourself

Redressing today. Like ripping off a plaster except the plaster is on your bare skin...! Owwwie. Keeping myself cheerful anyway until the end of the month. I’ve reached peak Google where nothing new or helpful comes up and so I’m hopefully done with the overthinking...

Oh and if anyone can recommend any good wound healing moisturiser I’d be all ears! They said Vaseline which is probably also fine.

@immortalitymydarling hope the redressing wasn't too painful! Sounds it though!! I'd say stick with the Vaseline, you probably just need to keep it moist to aid in healing. Stay away from Google, it can answer a multitude and be well off th e mark, all at the same time!

Bepanthen cream is good, they recommend it on tattoos when they are healing. It's a nappy cream and available in chemists and supermarkets and basically forms a breathable barrier and is very moisturising x hope you get some answers soon xxxx

immortality not a moisturiser but my exDP used a savoon spray on one of his surgery wounds, recommended by a nurse.

*Savlon

I am smiling at 'Peak Google'. I've been there - when you've read and self diagnosed via every possible site and realise there is literally NOTHING LEFT on the internet.

It's almost a relief.

Wishing your thumb speediest of recoveries.

Calendula and rest well

Manuka honey is apparently amazing. Expensive but amazing.

I've just found this thread after posting on it early on, urging you to get it rechecked having read an article about the black lines. I'm not sure why some threads disappear from the threads I'm on.

Fingers crossed for a good result for you.

Hope it is healing well OP

Does MN allow gory(ish) healing pics?

Got some Calendula from Amazon today. I like herbal things so that looks perfect. Thank you for all suggestions
20 days of “what if I have cancer and when will this all be over?” to go. Blurgh.

Does MN allow gory(ish) healing pics?

YES. Feel free to share.

20 days must feel like forever. Will be keeping everything crossed for you.

I am genuinely surprised by how quickly the nail bed is healing. The red bit is where they did the extra biopsy and stiches. Don’t know why I have that black part across the cuticle but presume it’s just blood. Our bodies are amazing at trying to fix themselves, really.

How you doing @ImmortalityMyDarlings? How's the thumb?