I just recently started a new job where I'm on my feet all day. The first day, I wore a pair of shoes that I've had for a long time, but haven't worn in probably a year. By the end of the day, my big toes were in pain. I assumed it was the shoes and decided I wouldn't wear them anymore. A few days later, some of my toenail polish scaped off and I could see a dark bruise under the nail, so took off all the polish and found bruises on both big toes. I've never gotten a bruise like these from wearing shoes, especially comfortable broken in shoes. But it's been almost two weeks now and one bruise has gotten bigger and the other smaller one has just gotten much darker. The toe with the bigger bruise is also a little swollen (which I'm guessing is from the bruising) and the tip of the nail looks like it's starting to pull away from the skin a little (from the swelling?) I also remember that a week or two before the shoes, my 2 yr old had stepped on my big toe and it was super painful and I thought maybe I had an ingrown nail starting, but I didn't even think about it again until the shoes a few weeks later. I've done some research online and of course found info on Subungual melanoma, but don't want to get all worked up about it until I can talk to someone who's experienced something similar or is knowledgable about it. I don't want to be a hypochondriac and run to the dr without researching it first. Any help?

Dear Amanda
Actually a toe nail that presents with a darkish hue may be due to a melanoma, but it probably would not be my primary diagnosis, especially if the "brusies" resulted secondary to trauma. You may have a "subungal hematoma" which is blood underneath the toe nail secondary to trauma. As the nail grows out, you will find that new nail will follow directly behind the old one. It may take a few months, so be patient. I would recommend that you see a Podiatrist so that he or she will be able to determine your appropriate diagnosis, just to make sure.

Good-luck and thank-you for contacting foot.com,
SBarlizo, DPM, C Ped
foot.com expert