Re: NAIL - GREY COLORED - CANCER?

In Reply to: NAIL - GREY COLORED - CANCER? posted by Wesley on October 18, 2000 at 23:35:57:

: I have one toe nail and one finger nail that is grey colored. I showed my toe nail to a dermatologist and he wants to biopsy the nail and the skin under the nail after he rips the nail completely off my toe. OUCH!

: The Dr. and I were unaware of the fingernail which I just noticed last night. Since it's in 2 places, my assumption is that this can't be skin cancer. I kept toe nail polish on most of the summer and noticed this after I removed the polish. I can't say the same for my fingernail however which leads me to wonder if it isn't some vitamin deficiency or bacterial infection.

: Does anybody have any idea what is causing this greyish color? It is not green and it is not yellow like I've read in other postings. I have been applying Lamisil occasionally and more regularly lately, but haven't seen much change.

: Thanks for your help in advance.

Ouch is right!! Any change in the nail plate is a cause for concern, although melanoma usually shows up in the nail plate as a brownish discoloration or line and is generally caused from the skin cancer attacking the matrix of the nail. Is the discoloration a bluish gray? If so, it could simply be a circulation problem or something else not quite so serious. Go to this website and see if you can find anything simmilar before you allow your nail to be removed -- or see another dermatologist for a less invasive procedure.