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Brown mark under big toenail.
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Brown mark under big toenail.

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Brown mark under big toenail.

  • Post
    • December 16, 2013 at 6:38 am
    Paige712
    Participant

      Hi my name is Paige and just recently i've noticed a strange medium brownish coloured mark under my right big toenail. it's in the nail's right bottom corner and is around 5-6mm vertical and 3 mm horizontal so fairly rectangular.

      Now I'm just hoping it's a bruise but do you think it could be something worth investigating?

      Thank you 🙂

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • December 16, 2013 at 12:07 pm
        Linny
        Participant

          It could be a bruise, it could be a toenail fungus, it could be anything. But just for peace of mind I'd get it checked out, especially if you have a history of melanoma.

          What your doctor will probably do, is take a close look at it and if s/he is not 100% sure what's going on, will mark the top of the discoloration and the bottom of the discoloration and have you come back in 6 weeks or so. If the discoloration stays within the markings it's growing out with the nail and that's a good thing. If the discoloration doesn't grow out, then further testing will be necessary.

          • December 16, 2013 at 12:07 pm
          Linny
          Participant

            It could be a bruise, it could be a toenail fungus, it could be anything. But just for peace of mind I'd get it checked out, especially if you have a history of melanoma.

            What your doctor will probably do, is take a close look at it and if s/he is not 100% sure what's going on, will mark the top of the discoloration and the bottom of the discoloration and have you come back in 6 weeks or so. If the discoloration stays within the markings it's growing out with the nail and that's a good thing. If the discoloration doesn't grow out, then further testing will be necessary.

              • December 16, 2013 at 5:40 pm
              POW
              Participant

                Linny is correct; a bruise will slowly move in the direction of the tip of your toe as the nail grows. Melanoma will not move. 

                • December 16, 2013 at 5:40 pm
                POW
                Participant

                  Linny is correct; a bruise will slowly move in the direction of the tip of your toe as the nail grows. Melanoma will not move. 

                  • December 16, 2013 at 5:40 pm
                  POW
                  Participant

                    Linny is correct; a bruise will slowly move in the direction of the tip of your toe as the nail grows. Melanoma will not move. 

                  • December 16, 2013 at 12:07 pm
                  Linny
                  Participant

                    It could be a bruise, it could be a toenail fungus, it could be anything. But just for peace of mind I'd get it checked out, especially if you have a history of melanoma.

                    What your doctor will probably do, is take a close look at it and if s/he is not 100% sure what's going on, will mark the top of the discoloration and the bottom of the discoloration and have you come back in 6 weeks or so. If the discoloration stays within the markings it's growing out with the nail and that's a good thing. If the discoloration doesn't grow out, then further testing will be necessary.

                    • December 17, 2013 at 5:03 am
                    UrsulaZ
                    Participant

                      hi, Paige

                      I had a similar mark under my thumbnail that did turn out to be melanoma. It extended the full length of the nail before I noticed it. 

                      But when it appeared, I was already in stage IV. If you have never been diagnosed with melanoma, then your pre-test probability would be lower!

                      Still worth checking out, in my opinion.

                      best, 

                      Ursula

                      • December 17, 2013 at 5:03 am
                      UrsulaZ
                      Participant

                        hi, Paige

                        I had a similar mark under my thumbnail that did turn out to be melanoma. It extended the full length of the nail before I noticed it. 

                        But when it appeared, I was already in stage IV. If you have never been diagnosed with melanoma, then your pre-test probability would be lower!

                        Still worth checking out, in my opinion.

                        best, 

                        Ursula

                        • December 17, 2013 at 5:03 am
                        UrsulaZ
                        Participant

                          hi, Paige

                          I had a similar mark under my thumbnail that did turn out to be melanoma. It extended the full length of the nail before I noticed it. 

                          But when it appeared, I was already in stage IV. If you have never been diagnosed with melanoma, then your pre-test probability would be lower!

                          Still worth checking out, in my opinion.

                          best, 

                          Ursula

                            • December 8, 2016 at 1:19 am
                            Thefranster
                            Participant

                              Wow what is your prognosis? I just discovered a strange brown circular spot under my nail and I'm scheduled for a nail biopsy next month. Having a lot of anxiety about it 

                              • December 8, 2016 at 1:19 am
                              Thefranster
                              Participant

                                Wow what is your prognosis? I just discovered a strange brown circular spot under my nail and I'm scheduled for a nail biopsy next month. Having a lot of anxiety about it 

                                • December 8, 2016 at 1:19 am
                                Thefranster
                                Participant

                                  Wow what is your prognosis? I just discovered a strange brown circular spot under my nail and I'm scheduled for a nail biopsy next month. Having a lot of anxiety about it 

                            Viewing 5 reply threads
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