Suspicious moles, pigment spots… certain signs of skin cancer are well known and are the subject of prevention by doctors. On the other hand, other elements tend to alert us much less even though they could be key indicators in detecting the disease. This is why dermatologist Lindsay Zubritsky warns her patients about a little-known nail sign. Discover this sign to check very easily!
An easy sign to check but very important
Followed by her Internet users on the Instagram account @dermguru, dermatologist Lindsay Zubritsky encourages her patients to check their nails. Indeed, she warns them that a small change could actually be linked to subungual melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer which has the particularity of developing under the nail. According to the doctor, you must therefore be careful of dark marks, both under your fingernails and toenails! “If you have a dark pigmented vertical trace running down your nail, this should definitely be checked,” she said in her video.
Indeed, this sign is the main symptom of nail melanoma. The pigmented line or band (brown or black) appears on the thumb or big toe starting from the matrix and extending towards the tip of the nail. This gives it a streaked appearance. The skin around the nail can also become darker. The dermatologist adds that other signs should also prompt you to consult a health professional. Among them: splitting of the nail, discoloration of the nail or the skin around it, a nail that lifts and moves away from the nail bed, a split in the middle of the nail, redness, infection, an injury that does not heal, deformation of the nail, damage of the skin of the finger in the nail area, a yellowish color…
All abnormal signs that could actually be caused by cancer.
An uncommon but most dangerous cancer
It is a cancerous tumor of the skin which develops from melanocytes, pigment cells of the epidermis. It can spread in an anarchic manner and reach tissues neighboring the epidermis, thereby damaging other parts of the body. Although it is not the most common cancer, melanoma is the most dangerous.
However, this form of skin cancer is quite rare and represents between 2% and 8% of skin melanomas. It affects women more generally and develops in particular under or the nails of the thumb (hand) or big toe (foot).
Do not worry directly but consult!
If treated in time, this type of cancer is curable. It is therefore very important to remain alert to the signs linked to your diagnosis. So, most often dark streaks on your fingers are not dangerous. It may be a skin condition, a wart, microtrauma or even a painless injury following an impact. In certain cases, we speak of longitudinal melanonychia, which is none other than benign pigmentation.
If in doubt and to reassure yourself, the best thing to do is to show your nails to a doctor. In fact, only an anatomopathological analysis can confirm the diagnosis with certainty.
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A post shared by Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, FAAD (@dermguru)