Melanoma or no

[bonchooski]

I've had this mark under my toenail for a few months now. Don't remember ever stubbing my toe or doing any trauma to it in anyway. The area doesn't hurt whatsoever. It's been in that location since i noticed it. So today for the heck of it I googled it and a lot of stuff comes up as a symptom of melanoma. Kinda buggin out.

[lawkcrabb]

I was just freaking out about this same thing last week.  From what I gather, melanoma under your nail shows as a black line that stretches from the base of your nail to the top...that doesn't look like it to me, also when your nail grows out, if it is melanoma it will stay in the same place, not grow out with your nail.  It looks like you have a bruise from dropping something on your foot or maybe resting something there.  Do you sleep walk?  Try not to worry about it, I bet it is nothing.

[gcalex]

99.99 percent of people on earth would not even notice that.  I would think you should not either.

[mollyfin]

I have a lot of bruises that make me go "When in the heck did that happen?"  Just because you don't remember dropping something or getting stepped on doesn't mean it didn't happen.  Keep an eye on it as the nail grows out - chances are it'll grow out along with it.

[remote1823]

My husband had something just like that several months ago.  I made him go to the dermatologist.  They said it was probably a bruise but they could cut it out if he wanted.  Being a normal (non-HA person) he decided to watch it and come back in a few months.  The dermatologist took a picture to compare it to several months later. It ended up being a bruise from an injury he doesn't remember and it's gone now. 

[cooling385]

My husband has something like this except on his pinky toe. It's at the same place at the base of the toenail.  I haven't seen it in that spot on any other internet pics.  He just noticed it a couple of days ago and doesn't remember injuring it.  I made him make a doctor's appointment - he's going tomorrow.  Will let you know any info I find out.

[Slangevar]

It's very probably a bruise, but there is some bad information being passed along here.

Yes, melanoma of the toenail frequently looks like a line up the nail, but it can take other forms. If that spot has never hurt and it doesn't seem to be dissipating or growing out with the nail, it warrants an appointment with the doctor.

(NOT that I think you have melanoma... it's probably a bruise or a symptom of some vitamin deficiency... but anything new that appears on your body and doesn't go away after a few months should be looked at.)

[staninco]

cooling385 - did your husband have this checked, and can you share his experience and the results of his visit to the doctor?

Thanks