Question
I have a black spot on my toenail on my little toe.  It is at the bottom of the nail - close to the nail bed and is getting bigger.  I do not believe it has been caused by trauma or an ill-fitting shoe.  There is no pain or discomfort.  I also notice that the nail on this same toe is thicker than the others.  It is not discolored though (other than the black spot).  I have read that it could be melanoma and that certainly concerns me.  Could this be a nail fungus and I am going to lose the nail?

Answer
Sounds like a nail fungus-due to the fact of the thickening. See if you can file the nail down and see if the black spot is in the nail or the skin under the nail. If it's on the skin then you should have it looked at. If it is in the nail and does not grow any bigger and moves out with the nail-then you may be O.K. If the nail has fungus-you will not lose the nail-but it may spread to the rest of the nail or the other nails. Nails may fall off after trauma-but not usually for nail fungus. Since I can't see the spot-if it worries you-Please see your podiatrist.
Hopes this helps!

Dr George Tsatsos
Elmhurst & Chicago Podiatrist
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
AnkleNFootCenter.com

Not Med Advice-Just Info for All
See your doctor