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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes A Brown Black Line On The Toe Nail Of A Child?

My son is 31/2 yrs. old and is adopted,he is Chinese. His big toenail started getting a narrow brn/blk line on it starting from the nail bed. As time went on the line grew wider and kept getting darker. We took him to a dermatologist and were sent to a surgeon for removal of the toenail and biopsy. They were sure it was a melanoma,but when the toenail was removed last July the tissue was pink underneath the toenail,the nail showed no melanoma,which made us very happy. The doctors still do not have an answer and now the toenail has grown back and it is 75% brn/blk and the black coloring started before the toenail was in.We think we need a second opinion and need to know what to do!
Mon, 10 Aug 2015
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Pediatrician,  's  Response
Is it a fungal infection? Sometimes, that can be the cause. Other times, nails dystrophy for no known reason, due to an abnormal blood supply to the growing root of the nail. If there is no other symptom like pain, difficulty in walking etc, you can wait before worrying so much. You have already been to a dermatologist. You might want to go back to the same doctor and ask him to reassess your son. Changing the doctor won't serve any purpose unless you know of a definitely better doctor.
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What Causes A Brown Black Line On The Toe Nail Of A Child?

Is it a fungal infection? Sometimes, that can be the cause. Other times, nails dystrophy for no known reason, due to an abnormal blood supply to the growing root of the nail. If there is no other symptom like pain, difficulty in walking etc, you can wait before worrying so much. You have already been to a dermatologist. You might want to go back to the same doctor and ask him to reassess your son. Changing the doctor won t serve any purpose unless you know of a definitely better doctor.