Q: subungual hematoma; left index, how long until nail falls off? lots of blood accumulating under nail. black in colour. severely painful and swollen.

Trephination: Ouch! Go see your family doc about this condition, the sooner the better. S/he can make a hole (trephinate) in your nail allowing blood to escape, thus relieving pressure &amp; pain. No anesthesia needed. Instant pain relief w/very dramatic release of blood build up. Check out http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/82926-overview for more info.

Q: i am a 26 year old white male. i have a vertical line through my nail. possible nodule as well. could this be subungual melanoma?

Ungual melanoma: Possible. Best to be examined by a doctor in person. Good luck.

Question 1

is a dark transversal band in hallux nail compatible with subungual melanoma? it's brown,near lunula,not painful.is it only typical of an hematoma?

Accepted Answer

Subunguinal hematoma: This is the best guess from the distribution. Most often from shoe friction during long walk or run. The nail will eventually grow out and off. If you remain concerned see a dermatologist.  The covers are is not the most favorable to develop a melanoma.

Question 2

dark nail band on my thumb, with faint bands on the sides and other nails..brother 9 yr has bands as well.is it subungual melanoma?dark skin,20yr

Accepted Answer

Prob not melanoma: if both you and your brother have similar nail findings. it is not melanoma.

But you will need to be seen to get a definite answer.

Question 3

how can you tell the difference between subungual hematoma vs melanoma? had a dark area under toe nail for 3 months (not a vertical line though)

Accepted Answer

Not safe to guess.: Telling the difference between the two is not always as simple as following as bullet point list. Both of these conditions can vary in appearance from patient to patient. To reduce the chances of missing the diagnosis, several things are needed. A thorough examination, a precise history of the problem and most importantly, experience in recognizing what you are seeing. Have the examined and soon.

Question 4

if you've nail subungual melanoma, does it suppose to feel hurt, itch, or you don't feel anything?ty

Accepted Answer

Depends: You could have any of these symptoms or none at all.  If you have concern about a lesion, don't ignore it and seek physican consultation and possible biopsy right away.  The key to skin cancer treatment is early detection.

Question 5

will they remove my nail when they check my suspected subungual melanoma?

Accepted Answer

Most likely yes: Most likely yes. They would need to get a biopsy of the mole. If it is located underneath the nail- the nail has to be out so a biopsy can be done and enough tissue can be resected. Discuss with your dermatologist.

Question 6

i have a persistent thin black line that runs the length of my nail.  other than subungual melanoma, what might this represent?

Accepted Answer

Need to be checked.: Any preceding trauma?
Any trouble with other nails?
Otherwise, hard to say without examining the nail. 
This might be evaluated by your pcp or dermatologist.

Question 7

when a nail is falling off after a subungual hematoma, what will the nail under it look like? it looks like i can see bone underneath.

Accepted Answer

Slow healing: The loss of a nail can leave the finger (or toe) rather unattractive. The new nail will grow from under the nail fold and out from a place called the matrix. If the matrix area was not damaged from the injury then the nail will usually grow out completely normal. If the matrix was damaged then the new nail can look a bit abnormal. This will be a very slow process.  Be patient.

Question 8

does biopsy procedure to determine subungual melanoma is painful? i heard it involve lifting up my nail? and how much it cost approximately? ty.

Accepted Answer

Should not be: All dermatologists use an anesthetic agent of some sort to deaden the pain. A subungual melanoma for someone who is 33 is exceedingly rare, and i would be surprised if the result is positive. Charges by dermatologists vary by state and by city, depending on their costs. Usually <$200 for a biopsy, plus about $75-125 to the pathologist to interpret the biopsy.

Question 9

subungual hematoma; left index, how long until nail falls off? lots of blood accumulating under nail.  black in colour.  severely painful and swollen.

Accepted Answer

Trephination: Ouch! Go see your family doc about this condition, the sooner the better. S/he can make a hole (trephinate) in your nail allowing blood to escape, thus relieving pressure &amp; pain. No anesthesia needed. Instant pain relief w/very dramatic release of blood build up. Check out http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/82926-overview for more info.

Question 10

i am a 26 year old white male. i have a vertical line through my nail. possible nodule as well. could this be subungual melanoma?

Accepted Answer

Ungual melanoma: Possible. Best to be examined by a doctor in person. Good luck.

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Doctor answers about:

Dark lines beneath the nail

A member asked:

Is a dark transversal band in hallux nail compatible with subungual melanoma? it's brown,near lunula,not painful.is it only typical of an hematoma?

A member asked:

Dark nail band on my thumb, with faint bands on the sides and other nails..brother 9 yr has bands as well.is it subungual melanoma?dark skin,20yr

A member asked:

How can you tell the difference between subungual hematoma vs melanoma? had a dark area under toe nail for 3 months (not a vertical line though)

A member asked:

If you've nail subungual melanoma, does it suppose to feel hurt, itch, or you don't feel anything?ty

A member asked:

Will they remove my nail when they check my suspected subungual melanoma?

A member asked:

I have a persistent thin black line that runs the length of my nail. other than subungual melanoma, what might this represent?

A member asked:

When a nail is falling off after a subungual hematoma, what will the nail under it look like? it looks like i can see bone underneath.

A member asked:

Does biopsy procedure to determine subungual melanoma is painful? i heard it involve lifting up my nail? and how much it cost approximately? ty.

A member asked:

Subungual hematoma; left index, how long until nail falls off? lots of blood accumulating under nail. black in colour. severely painful and swollen.

A member asked:

I am a 26 year old white male. i have a vertical line through my nail. possible nodule as well. could this be subungual melanoma?

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