SKIN CANCER marker lurking in your… NAILS?!

Skin cancer isn’t exactly top-of-mind for most folks, especially this time of year.

After all, it’s not like you’re sunbathing at the pool or hitting the beach…

And you’re most likely wearing long sleeves and pants, which means your skin isn’t getting bombarded with the sun’s UV rays.

But when it comes to certain types of skin cancer, it’s not always about getting “too much” sun.

Which is exactly why I feel compelled to address a skin cancer “marker” that very few look for.

But it could be staring directly at you… and it could be lurking right under your ‘fingers’!

Here’s how to identify it, and the steps you can take with your doctor to keep it from spreading.

Subungual melanoma is a type of skin cancer that occurs in the skin UNDER your nails.

A subungual melanoma diagnosis is rare (only 0.07% to 3.5% of the people in the world who have melanoma get the subungual variety), but it is considered very serious as it can spread to other parts of your body and be fatal.

Unfortunately, many folks don’t notice – or know about – the warning signs of subungual melanomas.

Luckily, detecting it early isn’t as “invisible” as you might think,

Subungual melanoma often starts as a brown or black streak under a toenail or fingernail – which is why many people can mistake it for a bruise and not think much about it.

But unlike a bruise, one of the tell-tale indicators of subungual melanoma is “Hutchinson’s sign.” This is when your nail pigment extends onto the skin surrounding the nail.

Here’s a real-life look at what a Hutchinson’s sign on a nail looks like.

Now that you know that discolored skin under your nails could be a sign of something severe, here’s how to address it.

If you didn’t stub your toe, or slam your finger… but you see colors that resemble bruising, it’s important that you show your doctor.

A series of assessments and tests will determine if the coloring is related to subungual melanoma, or if it’s something less severe like a fungal infection (that can be treated).

If he does confirm the discoloration is melanoma, he’ll want to make sure the cancer hasn’t spread.

In some cases, subungual melanoma may be classified as “in situ,” meaning it is only in the top layer of skin and can be treated by removing a very small area of the skin.

The bottom line?

Don’t ignore the signs of bruising and discoloration near your nails!

To fighting all skin cancer,
Sarah Reagan

Sources:

Cochran, Raechele. “What to know about subungual melanoma.” https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319100

WebMD. “What Is a Subungual Melanoma?” https://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/what-is-subungual-melanomas