A reddish brown mark is present on my pointer fingernail. How to treat it?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have a reddish-brown mark on my pointer fingernail. It is clear with sharp edges. I noticed it before a month at the base of the nail. Now it has moved down in the nail. I am trying to figure out the cause.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through the photo (attachment removed to protect patient identity). There is a collection of blood or fluid under the nail after a trauma to the nail or it can occur due to a side effect of NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) if you had taken it recently. It is usually harmless and does not require treatment. It tends to go away with a growth of a new nail. You can apply ice and take tablet Paracetamol 500 mg twice a day if there is pain. If there is no improvement even after the growth of a new nail, then you need to visit a dermatologist for the examination of the lesion, and a nail biopsy can be done if there is a need.