Bruise under big toe nail...

[kerry88]

I have a bruise under my left big toe nail, it covers almost all of the the toe nail area. It doesn't hurt like a bruise normally does if i put pressure on it and it never has. I don't know exactly how long it has been there as I had painted my toenails and due to my back problem it was easier just to top up the varnish than to remove it, so I first noticed it approx. 9 weeks ago. It has never hurt, I have no idea how it happened! I don;t remember banging it or anything. It doesn;t seem to fade, or grow out with the nail, so now I am unsure what it could be! I am terrified of the prospect of my nail falling off or something as I have a real phobia of nails (strange I know!!). I don;t want to bother my doctors with it as I am already seeing them for a number of things related to my back and an operation, and I always feel like a hypochondriac (sp?) when I see them as I put off seeing them so then have a list of things to sort!

I was hoping someone could just reassure me that this is normal and that it will go in time really!

[KarenK918]

I just found the same thing on my big toe.  Did the vinegar work?  How about the tea tree oil?

[FranieMae]

Without the strange phobia, I have the exact same symptoms.  It's black under half the big left toenail.  I noticed it a few months back under my nail polish and due to having an 85+ lb. Shepard, I thought nothing of it since she's always dancing around my feet.  It never hurt and I don't remember bruising my foot neither.  It doesn't seem to go away and my doctor seems to think it a fungus.  My thinking is NOT!  I will try the tea tree oil and I understand that soaking your toe in vinegar and water will neutralize the ph and kill the fungus, if indeed, it is a fungal problem.  Thanks for the info and I hope we will nip this problem in the bud soon!

[SassyLassie]

In answer to your question about telling if it is a fungus, actually, the way is to swab the area and have it examined by the lab, if there are any strange bacteria, etc, they will be able to determine if is a type of fungus.

[kerry88]

I think I am going to leave it, at least until after xmas now....I am struggling a bit with an unrelated operation recovery so getting in to the doctor, then getting the referral to the hospital is just adding more to the struggle right now! I will definately keep my eye on it though, hopefully it will just grow out and be ok!!

You can definately develope moles under nails though, it is the same as any other area of skin i suppose, you can even have flesh coloured ones apparently so you would never know, although I guess that is probably rare!! and not your fault for the goosebumps...my fault for being a wimp when it comes to nails!! :-) x

[remar]

So it is possible to get a mole under your toe nail? I've never heard of that. If I were you I would see a different Dr and ask for a culture to be done to see if this may be a fungus. Sorry about my story. I did'nt mean to give you goosebumps! Ha ha. I just wanted to let you know I've had injuries to my toe nails and they've grown out normal.    Remar

[kerry88]

the mole thing was the doctors initial thought, from what an internet search has taught me, it is possible but can be inidicative of cancer, the same as a mole appearing anywhere suddenly is a bad sign. i don;t think i woudl be able to drain my nail....even reading that in your message gave me goosebumps!! lol i hope it just goes away on its own, it isn't very nice to look at!!! x