Brown spot on toenail...

[Dan30cr]

I know this isn't really a lupus issue, but just curious if anyone else has come across this? I mentioned the appearance of a brown spot on my large toenail to my doctor and he was instantly very concerned and referred me for an urgent dermatologists appointment. Ive since looked up information on this and i believe he is concerned it may be a subungual melanoma... if the dermatologist decides this is a possiblity will they do a biopsy there and then?? Because that procedure looks savage and my appointment is halfway through my working day...

Any advice is gratefully received

[PMRpro]

I doubt they will do a big biopsy there and then - my husband has a skin biopsy of a suspicious mole done and it was a few weeks after the original appointment. However, on one chat room someone with a similar mark to yours had scrapings taken at the time and another had a punch biopsy but was asked if they wanted it done then or a week later.

But in the meantime - try not to worry (and yes, I know that is like saying don't breathe) as there are other things it could be but without a biopsy they can't tell which.

[Barnclown]

Glad you posted! 🤞🤞🤞🤞....please let us know how you get on....

🍀🍀🍀🍀 coco

[Hidden]

I'm glad that you posted too Dan - self interest in part because it prompted me to look again at a red vertical line that goes from top to bottom of one of my large toenails. I've been aware of it for a few years now so almost certainly nothing - but your post has prompted me to show it to GP next time I'm in. I really hope yours proves to be nothing sinister. Do please let us know how you get on. 🤞🏽

[Dan30cr]

To be honest I'm hoping they do the biopsy then if needed as I'd rather have the news one way or the other as soon as possible... Just like with my lupus diagnosis, it was the waiting that drove me to distraction... once I had the diagnosis I could do something about it, I could take back some control...

[Hidden in reply to Dan30cr]

I can completely relate to this. There are many changes that can occur in nails with our systemic diseases so hopefully this is Lupus related. But it will be good to exclude melanoma asap of course. Paul posted about Lupus and nails quite recently I believe. X

[Dan30cr]

Sorry a out the freaky toes... Just thought I'd show you what I'm talking about... doesn't really look like much eh? My partner laughed at me for even bringing it up... can see why, lol

[Maemaep]

I had a spot under my toenail. Dr. sent me to dermatologist. She told me to watch it for 6 months. If it changed at all to come back to her immediately. She said it would hopefully grow out as the toenail grew. It took about 6 months but it did grow out. It was a bruse. No cancer. But evidently dark marks under toenails are a sign of possible cancer.

[Puska]

I have a similar toe nail. Rheumatologist thinks it's a fungal infection and nothing more. I think it's a blood bruise.

[SEH58]

Just logged in here as I too have a brown mark similar to yours on my toenail. How did you get on?