Hi Jojo89. Welcome to the forum.

I should say that we're not doctors, and so we can't tell you what's causing this.

It seem weird that both big toes are involved. As someone who always walks around the house barefoot, I have from time to time injured one or the other big toe nail, but never both at the same time. I assume you have no recollection of doing anything that would injure both toes?  Likewise, the chances of having two melanomas appear simultaneously are pretty slim indeed. No wonder your doctors are confused.  

However, in your shoes (so to speak) I would definitely want melanoma to be ruled out as a possibility. Have you had any blood tests and were the results normal? 

I think I would like to have the black marks "punch biopsied", which is where is small hole is punched in the nail, and then a fine needle is used to draw out some cells for analysis.  I suggest you discuss this with your GP whether blood tests are appropriate and whether you should be referred to a specialist. 

Hello,

thanks for for the reply. I have not done anything to cause trauma to my toes. I wear slippers and socks in my house it’s been something I’ve done for years. I’m pretty sure I would know if I hurt both toes and wouldn’t they still hurt? Anyway they have not ruled out melanoma,I have not had blood work or biopsy done. They want me to wait 6 weeks then come back and see them.

Hi. I must emphasise I'm not a doctor and definitely not an expert on this topic.

Certainly whenever I've damaged my toenails, I've been in no doubt about it! And with the amount of swearing and cursing I make when it happens, neither is my wife! 

My understanding is that these toenail melanomas tend to occur in sunny countries where it's common to go barefoot or wearing open toed sandals.  I don't suppose you've been out much in your flip flops for the last few months ;)

I think I'd ask for some blood work to be done, particularly platelets and clotting function, liver function, fbc and whatever else the doctor thinks appropriate. That may give a clue to what's going on.

Hey lol I agree when u bang ur toes u feel it haha the entire house feels it!  As far as I’m aware Subungual melanoma isn’t caused by sun light... but no I’m in Canada it’s a blizzard hahaha no flip flops for this girl :)

im going to go back in 6 weeks and if they can’t give me answers I’m going to demand some blood work or the punch to be done. I can’t keep stressing out about this. I need answers

Looks like I got it wrong about sun exposure. Like I said, I'm not a doctor. 

Are you sure you can bear to wait 6 weeks? I'm not sure I could :-(

I'd be really interested to know the results, when you finally get them. 

I saw him on February 15 and I could barely wait 2 weeks! I don’t normally get stressed im very laid back. But I’m loosing my mind stressed to the max high anxiety! Let’s face it I love food yet I haven’t been eating much to stressed. I will try n give it 6 weeks but I might go back sooner. I will keep you updated for sure.

Hi Jojo,

A very warm welcome to Cancer Chat.

I thought that I might add a more plausable solution to your bilateral toe nail problem. This mostly occurs when there is either too much movement in the toe box of a shoe, causing friction on the nails and bruising the area under the nail. More commonly, the bruising is caused by having too little depth and width in your shoes. This bruising can take about 8 months to grow out. If you continue to get pressure on the nails, you may find that you are continuing to damage them and then it looks as if the nail doesn't grow out.

Very high heels can also cause problems when your weight is pushed into the toe box. Another possibility is fungal infection of the nails.

If you put your hand in the shoe and feel the upper part of the toe box of the shoe, you will often feel an indent where your nails have stretched the area. It might be a good idea to make an appointment with a podiatrist. who could confirm this for you and diagnose what the problem really is. This would save you worrying unecessarily for the next 6 weeks.

I do hope that this is the case and that there is nothing sinister to worry about.

Please let me know how you get on. We are always here for you whenever you want to speak.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi thanks for the warm welcome.

my doctor took a look at my shoes they are not to tight and he does not suspect the shoes to be the problem. I’ve also had them for over a year. I do not wear high heels either. I’m hoping to find out more and that it is nothing to worry about. 

Hi,

yes it is very stressful not knowing and playing the waiting game. Both the doctors I’ve seen are still scratching their heads. I was going to head to yet another doctor but I’m just not sure so I’m waiting till April. And hopefully by then they will take samples or something! I’ll take anything at this point to give me some answers!! Can I ask where and what your area looks like? I did my research aswell and it all points to the same thing I have not changed my daily schedule and there was never any trauma. Please keep me posted on your appointment. I hope it’s nothing serious I wish you all the best! Good luck <3