A woman seeking advice shared her health concerns on Reddit, prompting users to suggest she see a doctor after she posted a picture of her fingernail.
While it’s generally not advisable to rely solely on online advice from strangers, Reddit can be a place to seek initial guidance before consulting a healthcare professional.
If you have health concerns, it’s best to consult a medical expert, though online communities can sometimes offer insights based on personal experiences.
An anonymous woman recently posted on Reddit, showing a photo of her fingernail with a visible dark tan line.
She wrote, “Dark Tan line showed up on my thumb nail, won’t go away.”
The post quickly gained attention, with one user commenting, “Have you been to a doctor yet? this is normally how melanoma (skin cancer) presents on the finger.”
Another user added, “Not to freak you out, OP, but would recommend a doctor visit and I recall something along these lines too. Hopefully we are confidently incorrect reddit folks!”
Is this health symptom cause for concern?
According to Healthline, “a small black line that forms vertically underneath your nail may be a splinter hemorrhage.” If the line is horizontal, it could be a “melanonychia.”
“These may be harmless or a sign of a more serious health condition,” the site explains.
Thicker horizontal lines on the nail, known as ‘Beau lines’, are typically harmless but “nail discoloration in the nail bed can be a symptom of a type of cancer called subungual melanoma.”
Cleveland Clinic also discusses symptoms to watch for, stating: “It usually appears as a dark, vertical (top to bottom) streak on your nail. Subungual melanoma is rare but serious. This type of skin cancer – called acral lentiginous melanoma – is an aggressive form of melanoma.”
The woman later updated the thread, writing, “Got a referral to a dermatologist today from my regular doctor. Just waiting for them to call me.”
We hope the outcome is positive for her.
If you’re facing similar issues and wish to speak confidentially, reach out to the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or use their 24/7 live chat service.