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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

blue/black (blood?) under both big toe nails

by Mark
(Greensboro NC)

About six weeks ago I noticed a black & blue roundish spot under EACH of my big toe nails. I do not remember having any trauma. I went to the podiatrist today and he sanded down one of my nails and said he "got some of the black off" which was a good sign. He also said it wasn't a long vertical line, so it was not indicative of melanoma. Still I am concerned since it doesn't seem to be "growing out". It is slightly sore to the touch, less than when I first noticed it. Any information would be appreciated. Mark

Hi Mark,
Melanoma under the nails does occur, but fortunately it is very rare. Usually the darkness is from dry blood. Having said that, the key is to see if the darkness grows forward which would then just indicate a discoloration in the nail. Six weeks is a little too soon to expect much forward growth.
Your doctor is correct in that most melanomas grow in a linear direction but that is usually from melanomas occurring at the growth plate of the nail.
If you had a melanoma just underneath the nail, it might present as a 'spot' of discoloration. The other point to consider is statistically the possibility of you having bilateral melanoma on each great toe is probably about the same as winning the megamillions lottery.
If this concerns you enough and you are hesitant to wait to see if the discoloration will grow forward, then return to your podiatrist and have him remove the nail and send out a biopsy.
The procedure is not very painful and a new nail will grow back.

Marc Mitnick DPM

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Nov 22, 2010
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Thank you - update
by: Mark

Thank you very much Dr Mitnick, that is helpful and comforting. I went to my dermatoligist, and he brought in the Melaomna Spec to also look at it. They both agreed that it was highly unlikely to be Melanoma and was probably trauma. They said they saw verticle "splints?" on my nails that indicated my toe nails have had repeated tramua possibly from too small or large footwear. They said it wouldn't make sense to take the nails off and do a biopsy since "the nails would never really be the same even though they would grow back". Any thoughts? Thank you again, this helped me validate what I heard from them! Mark

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anonymous

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Seattle, WA

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New Jersey

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Evansville, IA

Dear Marc

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San Diego, CA

Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

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Albany, NY

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Whichita, KS

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mark

Boston, MA

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Colorado

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Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

Thank you for this information. This description fits my pain and inflammation behind my 2nd toe perfectly.

by: Max

location unknown

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Canada

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Wisconsin

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North Carolina

Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

location unknown

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Bessie Mae

Florida

Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

Lynne T.

location unknown

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New Jersey

Thank you. you were more detailed than what others have told me they finally called from the last xrays and my son is now in a cast for 2 weeks he did have a fracture that was not noticeable.

a mom

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Lenoir, NC

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Bellevue, WA

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Jodi

location unknown

blue/black (blood?) under both big toe nails

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