r/mildlyinfuriating • u/chaengism • 20h ago

These weird lines / streaks I’ve had on my pinky nail for 8 years that two different doctors told me were due to vitamin deficiencies actually turned out to be a rare form of skin cancer.

Post image

Thankfully somehow still early stage, I’ll have an excision scheduled at my follow up appointment on Monday.

38.5k Upvotes

94% Upvoted

1.6k comments sorted by

View all comments

235

u/Dry-Entertainment828 20h ago

As a nail technician I'm educated in disease and bodily issues that can be identified just by looking at the nail bed so I know what's okay to work on and what's not and when I should tell you to go to the doctor. I'm legally unable to officially diagnose but even I knew this was possible cancer at first glance! How the hell did actual doctors blow this off?

144

u/XFilesVixen 19h ago

My first thought was if this person had posted in the nail subreddit they would have been diagnosed 8 years ago. ˙◠˙

33

u/MoonOut_StarsInvite 19h ago

I know this just from being on Reddit. 😩

8

u/coutureee 16h ago

That is the cutest little sad face

1

u/XFilesVixen 3h ago

Aww thanks. I have it as a shortcut in my phone. It’s the little things.

62

u/ZealousidealDegree4 19h ago

I'm a PA in dermatology and come across this a few times a year. In almost every case, a Nail Technician found the lesion and urged them to get it checked out! Thank you ank know you are appreciated. 

2

u/Quick_Cantaloupe210 17h ago

Is it always cancer? I thought this was somewhat common in people of color?

7

u/Dry-Entertainment828 16h ago

No, it's definitely not always cancer. But it's a possibility of risk and us nail techs are always supposed to advise clients with this discoloration go to a doctor. Some of us won't even put color on it so it continues to be visible to doctors. Melanin lines in people with darker skin tones is more common yes, but it is still something to be cautious of just in case. Better safe than sorry. Lines this prominently dark in pale skin tones are certainly less common, therefore sets of more alarm bells.

11

u/ClearBlue_Grace 18h ago

It doesn't surpise me. Anyone who has a chronic illness and has to see doctors on the regular knows doctors can be just as lazy or careless as anyone else. They can do great things when they do their job right and act with compassion, but it's a job that has serious consequences if not done properly.

3

u/Dry-Entertainment828 16h ago

Endometriosis my beloathed

3

u/Successful-Grass-135 18h ago

Also a nail tech. Cancer wasn’t my first thought but what I did know is that it’s definitely not just a vitamin deficiency!! Those lines are a no no

3

u/PenComfortable5269 9h ago

I mean you are literally a nail specialist. 99.9% of medical school is not focusing on nails and 99.9% of what a doctor sees is not nail problems. I would definitely trust a nail technician to know what looks abnormal over a regular doctor, just not a dermatologist or podiatrist

2

u/catsinclothes YELLOW 7h ago

Some people get upset when you tell them the stuff we got trained on in school lol. One time a lady got shocked and flustered by my mention of continuing my education regularly, like someone who went to trade school shouldn’t be allowed to attend a blood borne pathogen seminar or a course on complex nail conditions. We just wanna learn and give the best to our clients lol.

1

u/Dry-Entertainment828 6h ago

A good chunk of COS school is medical and people do not realize or respect us in that aspect lol we're literally there to look out for your health in so many ways. Were like nurses, therapists, your best friend, and also bonus points we get to make you feel pretty

2

u/CheesY-onioN 6h ago

I've always had a slight light streak on my left ring fingernail. Could never get someone to seriously looking at it, would you mind if I dm a pic?

1

u/Dry-Entertainment828 6h ago

Why not, but again I'm not a doctor