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Original poster

Brown mark on toe nail?

19 replies

Anonymousxo · 18/11/2021 12:45

Woke up with this on my toenail I don't remember hitting my toe or anything - it's a lot more light brown in person, is this just a normal mark? I've done a research on google and it doesn't seem to look like anything so I'm not sure what it is, doesn't hurt to touch either

Brown mark on toe nail?
OP posts:
Original poster
Anonymousxo · 18/11/2021 12:54

.

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peachpearplum01 · 18/11/2021 12:59

I don’t wish in any way to scaremonger but a friend of mine had a brown mark under the fingernail and got referred to an oncology unit as it can be a sign of cancer. On this occasion it was fine and nothing to worry about but they did want to check it out. I’m sure it’s something innocuous and harmless but worth checking at the gp to be on the safe side.

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 18/11/2021 13:04

@peachpearplum01

I don’t wish in any way to scaremonger but a friend of mine had a brown mark under the fingernail and got referred to an oncology unit as it can be a sign of cancer. On this occasion it was fine and nothing to worry about but they did want to check it out. I’m sure it’s something innocuous and harmless but worth checking at the gp to be on the safe side.
Yeah that's what I was worried about but when I checked online for photos they all were much darker and had lines rather than just a mark so I thought maybe it wouldn't be that....:/
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Original poster
Anonymousxo · 18/11/2021 13:13

Just wanted peoples opinions whether it looked bad enough to be seen or whether I should wait a few weeks to see if it goes? I only noticed it this morning but it's definitely made me worry

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sadie9 · 18/11/2021 13:44

You could have bruised it without noticing. If it were me I'd wait a week and see if it fades.

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 18/11/2021 21:30

@sadie9

You could have bruised it without noticing. If it were me I'd wait a week and see if it fades.
Ok thank you, I will do that
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MrsEricBana · 21/11/2021 02:20

I think bruising too. I had similar and was told to photograph it and compare in 4 weeks. Based on that pic I wouldn't worry unduly. It will either fade or grow off the end of your nail in all likelihood

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 18/01/2022 20:03

Hi everyone - I'm a bit worried as there has been no change to the toe nail, however I now have two new ones on two other toe nails! Should I be concerned? :(

Brown mark on toe nail?
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StormBaby · 18/01/2022 20:09

Now that you have more, I would say they are splinter haemorrhages. They can be a symptom of various non life threatening things do still worth checking.

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 18/01/2022 20:40

@StormBaby

Now that you have more, I would say they are splinter haemorrhages. They can be a symptom of various non life threatening things do still worth checking.
I have just searched that up, it looks identical doesn't it however toe nail does look different from those two! Should I call my doctor then? I don't want to bug them if it's nothing as I know how busy they are right now
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BlueBellsArePretty · 18/01/2022 23:15

The one on your big toe definitely looks to be caused by a mild bruise as opposed to a change in pigmentation. Have you been wearing tight shoes outside in cold weather?

SiobhanSharpe · 18/01/2022 23:28

Could the mark on your toenail be due to a fungal nail infection?
I've had this and mine looked similar, but bigger.

42isthemeaning · 18/01/2022 23:37

Hi op just get it checked - until a professional reassures you, you'll keep wondering. I bet it's either bruising or fungal. I had something similar and was referred to dermatologist to check for moles, etc. Their magnifier showed it was bruised.

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 19/01/2022 06:54

@BlueBellsArePretty

The one on your big toe definitely looks to be caused by a mild bruise as opposed to a change in pigmentation. Have you been wearing tight shoes outside in cold weather?
I have actually yes, I've just had to buy some new shoes as the ones I love are a bit on the tight side, could that be why?
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aquamarine08 · 20/01/2022 22:46

Please please go get this checked - the dark lines could be a sign of melanoma in the nail. So please see your GP to rule this out.

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 21/01/2022 20:40

@aquamarine08

Please please go get this checked - the dark lines could be a sign of melanoma in the nail. So please see your GP to rule this out.
I am aware of that however it looks more like splinter one more than melanoma, I also checked online and melanoma is usually a full straight line down where as mine isn't, also on multiple nails too which melanoma wouldn't be
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JuergenSchwarzwald · 22/01/2022 13:07

Do you have e-consult at your GP? Why not send them photos and ask for their advice? They'll call you in, tell you it's ok, or refer you. At least your mind will be at rest then.

Original poster
Anonymousxo · 22/01/2022 15:16

@JuergenSchwarzwald

Do you have e-consult at your GP? Why not send them photos and ask for their advice? They'll call you in, tell you it's ok, or refer you. At least your mind will be at rest then.
Because I don't really want too, I would rather just wait it out and see if it changes - I didn't know about splinter haemorrhage and now looking I believe it looks identical, so I think it's that
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Original poster
Anonymousxo · 31/01/2022 18:09

Just an update, I decided to show docs as comments were worrying me a bit - we have a dermatology unit in my docs and they said they appear to look like small bruises on my nail, she said she would expect it to disappear completely within a few months so long as no more show up :)

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