Suggest Treatment For Bruised Toe

Posted on Thu, 25 Jun 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 25 Jun 2015 Answered on

Wed, 15 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I've had what I assumed was a bruised toe for about 12-13 years now. A little less than half of my big toe on my right foot has a large, vertical bruise on it. I am almost 23, and remember my friend accidentally stepping on my big toe in gym class in fourth grade while playing soccer. It hurt really bad, and ever since then, my toe has had that bruise. The bruise hasn't changed in color or size from what I can tell, and it doesn't hurt. The area of skin right under the bruised section of my nail is brown as well. I've always had people ask me about my toe, and I just always answered that it was permenately bruised. I'm just curious as to what it could be? Why hasn't it gone away? I saw a Pediatrist after my toe was bruised due to an ingrown toenail, and he didn't seem to be concerned about it. I was a long time ago, and I was a lot younger, so I don't remember what he exactly said about it.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I suggest a Nail Biopsy

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query and I have also reviewed the image

I can see a broad, vertical dark band of pigmentation of greater toe nail i.e Longitudinal Melanonychia.
I can also see that there is pigmentation of adjacent proximal nail fold.

I won't dismiss this as simply due to trauma.
I would rather keep a possibility of Melanoma and I suggest a nail biopsy in view of that.

A vertical band/ longitudinal melanonychia wider than 2-3 mm and pigmentation of adjacent proximal nail fold i.e Hutchinson's sign, is very suggestive of Melanoma.

Kindly visit a dermatologist in your region for the needful.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar