Feeling a bit panicked and also stupid - black but in toenail

[Littlemice]

Hi all

Trying not to panic. Went to podiatrist this morning to finally try and sort out a fungal infection on my big toenail that I’ve had for must be years now, but got worse the last 6 months.

In one bit it looks a bit black - I honestly can’t remember when this happened but was several
months ago. No trauma to have caused it.

Anyway podiatrist has said I need to see a dermatologist about the black bit, to rule out melanoma. I’ve googled and can see melanoma under toenail is very aggressive with low survival ( but also very rare).

I had a really awful year last year with health issues and a different cancer scare. I feel really stupid as had no idea I should have got this checked sooner either. And now have to wait for doctors appointment and then referral appointment with it at the back of my mind.

Ive looked at it myself when back home and as far as I can see it looks more like black gunk - but obviously I can’t see the nails bed.

arrrhhhh - just needed to write it down.

I had a similar thing OP - was aware of it for a few weeks or a month or two and did nothing, then googled and panicked!!

I went to my GP who also panicked a bit and referred me to a dermatologist straight away. He looked at it under very bright light and said he could detect particles around the black bit - little dark red dots that suggested it was bleeding from an injury and not a melanoma. I remembered unbuckling a belt one time and the buckle swinging down and hitting my foot - painful enough to make me swear but not take any more notice of it than that, but I'm pretty sure that's what it must have been.

By coincidence I was seeing another dermatologist privately a few months later about something else, and by that time my other big toenail had a bit of a dark patch under it too. The second dermatologist confirmed that it was also bleeding under the nail (definitely no injury this time!) and said that I had a slight fungal infection I hadn't known about, and that this can make nails softer and much more prone to bleeding underneath. So I'm now treating my nails twice a day with tea tree oil and daktarin, and watching the black bits move very slowly upwards. I'll have a party the day they finally grow out!

Just wanted to reassure you that if you do have a fungal nail infection the bleeding is FAR more likely to be linked to that than anything more sinister. Get it checked out of course (and expect the GP to refer you on), but tell yourself firmly in the meantime that it's something very unworrying and treatable!

Thank you for replying! I honestly can’t recall hitting it at all. The fungal infection is clearly there ( rather disgusting and yellow and the black area is sort of at the side of that!). I’m pretty sure it was a pink fungal colour then went black. It’s not a clear black spot as such.

Ive been referred to a dermatologist but as urgent by GP but doesn’t look like any appointments until April. Wish I’d gone to the Gp sooner about it have to say!

Anyway I have learnt a lesson about getting things on toes checked out!

I learned that lesson too! (who even knew it was a thing to worry about?!) I've also learned I need to look after my toenails and not just cover them up with dark red nail varnish and ignore the state of them when I remove it!

I definitely didn't bash my other nail, and couldn't believe it when a second black bit appeared. But it does lend weight to the fungal nail theory and it's grown out about halfway now, leaving much smoother, pinker nail below. I think I'm right in saying melanoma doesn't grow out because it's on the nail bed, not in the nail itself, so any sign that it's moving up the nail is very encouraging.

Really hope you get seen before April. Could you ring the dermatology dept and ask if cancellations ever come up? It really should be seen within 2 weeks (though I know those targets are very rarely achieved these days...☹️)

Yes I also covered it up with nail varnish!

Early April is via private insurance - but I may ask GP about NHS wait. I’ve sent a photo to the consultant though so will see what she says and I guess she might fit me in if it looks urgent!