Topics: Cancer, Health, Reddit, Community, Social Media
A woman who posted her health concerns on Reddit has been urged to go and see a doctor right away after posting a photo of her fingernail.
To be honest, it's maybe not the best idea to take advice from random people on the internet, though taking to a Reddit forum is certainly an option to seek guidance before booking a doctors appointment.
Of course, it's always advised to see a healthcare professional if you are worried, though people online can maybe help out if they've experienced similar symptoms.
One anonymous woman took to Reddit recently to share a photo of her fingernail, which has a dark tan line clearly visible.
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"Dark Tan line showed up on my thumb nail, won’t go away," she wrote.
Many Reddit users have flocked to the comments section of the post, with one person writing: "Have you been to a doctor yet? this is normally how melanoma (skin cancer) presents on the finger."
Meanwhile, a second 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!"
So, is such health symptom anything to worry about?
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'.
"These may be harmless or a sign of a more serious health condition," the health site 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 also speaks about the symptoms to look out for, and it 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 Redditor shared an update on the matter in the thread and wrote: "Got a referral to a dermatologist today from my regular doctor. Just waiting for them to call me."
Hopefully, it's good news for the Redditor!
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.
