Hi,

The dermatologist will take a look & decide if it needs a biopsy. It's rarely doon on the day of that appointment but you would be called back as a day surgery patient. Sometimes they peel the nail back and take a scraping of the nail bed or they remove the whole nail and take a larger scraping of the nail bed. The tissue is then sent for biopsy and the results received a few weeks later.

Subungual melanoma isn't common so hopefully your nail problem is caused by something else but it's good that you are getting it checked out. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

Thank you for your reply I am out of my mind with worry as I feel like I have ignored this not realising you could get anything sinister in your nailbed. If you need a biopsy are you able to drive afterwards?

thanks in advance 

I personally wouldn't risk it. I've had moles removed from my foot and my shin & was told not to drive so it would be better if you got someone to pick you up. 

Thank you …is it likely that the biopsy ( if needed) will not be done at my first appointment? 

They rarely do them at the first appointment, especially if the removal is in an area that would affect the patient's mobility. Most patients are brought back on another day & it's done under a local anesthetic as a day patient.

I had my first appointment on Friday and they have said I need to go in and get my nail plate removed and they will do a biopsy. Just waiting for the appointment but really nervous . I live on my own so worried il not be able to walk on it for a day or so do you think they will give me crutches or something to assist me?

I had my first appointment on Friday and they have said I need to go in and get my nail plate removed and they will do a biopsy. Just waiting for the appointment but really nervous . I live on my own so worried il not be able to walk on it for a day or so do you think they will give me crutches or something to assist me?

They often provide crutches but I would contact them if your appointment letter doesn't make mention of this so you can arrange for them to be available.

Good luck, hopefully you won't be waiting too long & it will all go well. Please let us know how you get on.

Fortunately I had 2 dermatologist look at mine with the dermascope I think they call it and both agreed it was a hematoma but booked me in for 3 months time.  

Oh that’s good I’m really pleased for you 

Thanks I will keep you updated