Hi Rob,

I replied to your comment on RaeRae's post but I thought I would also comment on your post.

Firstly, if it is anything serious the good thing is that you have caught it early and are getting it dealt with quickly as that will help with the success of any treatment.

With regards to the bruise, hopefully it has been caused by trauma - trauma doesn't have to be caused by dropping something on your toe or banging it against something. It can be caused by something as simple as an ill fitting shoe. My husband always get's a bruised big toe after we have been on walking holidays - this is because he wears walking shoes (tried different ones) that are too tight on his big toe (which is slightly bent) and the constant rubbing of the toe on the inner shoe causes the bruise. This then takes months to grow out & once it gets back to normal it happens again during the next walking holiday! So have you been walking further or for longer than usual? Are you wearing a different pair of shoes that are slightly ill-fitting? 

You shouldn't be waiting too long for your appointment and hopefully the dermatologist will be able to put your mind at rest. Subungal melanoma is quite rare, it only accounts for 1% of melanoma cases. Also taking into account that 75% of patients referred to dermatology are given a clean bill of health & you will see that the odds your nail is OK are on your side.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient)

Thank you very much for your reply and I do a lot of walking probably about 6 miles per day with my dog but never had a bruise before what is worrying me more than anything is the colour it's black on the bottom half and hazy black on the top half it's shaped like a baked bean slightly smaller though my doctor thinks it's just a bruise I have only been able to send photos due to COVID so nobody has properly inspected it yet what I have read on the internet is very scary because it's on the toe makes it a lot more deadly so this has got me worried and I know you shouldn't go digging for information but I just try to find some positive news and all I do find is negative news   Some sites say because it's black it's advanced and some say because I have a smear type look rather than a stripe it's also more advanced so I have got myself into a state once again thank you for your reply I am sorry that you suffer from this and wish you good luck 

Hi angie thank you for your kind words I've been to see a dermatologist at hospital he told me my nail is dead and i have a bruise and absolutely nothing to worry about that is a massive relief because I put 2 and 2 together and got 10.000 I know you are correct about too much google but yo be fair the doctor told me if I would not of googled my symptoms I would not of been here I think he meant that some people just think it's nothing then by the time they seek help it's too late I think the trick not to do too much digging but once again thanks for your reply it's much appreciated I wish you all the best and good luck thanks Robert

Hi Robert,

I'm so pleased that the dermatologist has said it's nothing to worry about. It's been a worrying time for you but you can now heave a sigh of relief and enjoy life. Take care, Angie