Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing.
A Reddit user took to the internet for advice after spotting a dark line on his finger and social media users quickly rallied round in support.
Granted, the internet and social media can sometimes be a pit of gloom leading to doom-scrolling through utter trash, keyboard warriors rearing their heads, 'look how good my life is' inaccurate highlight reels and a whole host of depressing news.
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However, it can also be used for the power of good - and in this case, a group of Redditors came through in support of another user after they shared a concerning image of their hand.
Social media users' concerns over the image
A Redditor shared a photograph of one of their hands alongside the caption: "Mark on my finger that darkened over time."
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The image indeed shows their hand with one of their nails seeing a dark line on it.
A user responded: "Have a doctor look at that. Unexplained darkening of tissue may be serious."
The original poster responded saying 'apparently it's just a mole' and they've 'had it for five years now', but questioning if they should 'get it checked again'.
"A mole changing in any way should be checked out by a doctor 100 percent of the time," another user added.
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This was echoed by a third: "Changes in moles need investigation. Doesn't mean cancer, but it needs investigation to make sure it isn't, or to determine if it has become precancerous."
A medical professional also weighed in advising the Redditor to get it checked out, reassuring while 'not all melanonychias are cancer', when 'they change that is a cause for concern'.
Melanonychia 'is brown or black discoloration of a nail,' DermNet notes. But why did the image spark such alarm from other users and what can such discoloration mean?
What can discoloration of a nail mean?
Well, Healthline explains 'a small black line that forms vertically underneath your nail may be a splinter hemorrhage'. If the line is horizontal, it may be a 'melanonychia'.
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"These may be harmless or a sign of a more serious health condition," it notes.
Thicker horizontal stripes on the nail are called 'Beau lines' and while not usually harmful, 'nail discoloration in the nail bed can be a symptom of a type of cancer called subungual melanoma'.
Cleveland Clinic details: "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 medical professional added on the Redditor's post: "No there was probably nothing to worry about last time. Yes you need to see a doctor. No it cannot be diagnosed over the internet."
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And the original poster has since responded.
What did the Reddit user decide to do about their nail?
Thankfully, they agreed to go and see a doctor, thanking everyone for their 'support'.
Oh, and just as another reminder of how brilliant the internet can be at times, that MD who commented on original Reddit image?
They later added to their post: "Edit: I'd like to use the popularity of this comment to take a public stance on the issue and formally endorse pineapples on pizza."
Another user responded: "Yes, Dermatology calling in. In this photo, the melanonychia appears relatively uniform, but it is dark enough and wide enough that it needs review, especially if darkened over time.
"[...] Edit: I have been made aware that u/humanlifeform has been using their comment to champion pineapple on pizzas. I implore you all not to attend them for your finger amputation needs, as they are clearly a maniac building a fort out of severed fingers in which they gorge on pineapple soaked pizza while laughing manically."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.
Topics: Health, Reddit, Social Media, Cancer
Poppy Bilderbeck