Is the dark line on my toenail a fungal infection?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 31-year-old female, currently on Amitriptyline 50 mg at night. I have got a pigmented line in my fourth toenail. It started as a freckle that was tan in colour, and quite quickly, over four or five months, it has turned darker. It is not growing out but spreading in width.

The bottom-left part of my skin and cuticle area is very itchy at times, and it feels tender in my toes and on the top of my foot, too. I have not had any trauma to my foot, knocked it, or dropped anything on it.

Is it something that will just disappear?

Kindly assist.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I have gone through the reports you submitted (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity), and I will do my best to help you overcome the problem.

Close examination reveals the dark band appearance often seen in individuals with a fungal infection. For most of my clinic patients, I suggest taking Fluconazole 150 mg weekly and using Miconazole or a similar antifungal lotion twice a day. It takes some weeks for the results to be apparent.

If there is itching in adjacent areas, Zyrtec (Cetirizine) or another antiallergic can be a great help, taken once a day. With proper care, avoidance of moisture in the area, and well-fitting footwear, the problem is manageable.

I hope this answers your query.

Please let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.

You can always reach me at icliniq.com.