Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and one in five Americans is estimated to develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Knowing the symptoms is key to catch it early and increase chances of survival.
A dermatologist has gone viral on TikTok after explaining how to spot melanoma in your finger or toenails, a type that only accounts for about 1% of skin cancers in the US, but causes a large majority of skin cancer deaths.
Dermatologist explains skin cancer signs
“We are about to look at examples of melanoma in the nails, and everyone should know what they’re looking for when it comes to this type of skin cancer, because it could save your life,” Dr. Samantha Ellis said.
She explained that you need to be looking for a “vertical brown or black stripe” down the nail which can expand in width, change into multiple colors over time or begin to extend into the skin. Ellis added that in very extensive cases, the whole nail can then turn black.
However, a faint vertical line that’s very straight, narrow and just one color isn’t usually melanoma.
“If you’re looking down at your fingernails or toenails right now freaking out because you see some bands of pigment, fear not. Many people, including those with melanin rich skin will have some vertical bands of pigment,” she continued.
The dermatologist noted that the key thing you need to watch out for is the vertical stripe “changing” – at which point you should contact a healthcare professional.
Melanoma that appears as a dark streak down the length of the nail is called Subungual Melanoma, Medline Plus explains. When caught in the early stages, this cancer is highly treatable through surgically removing the affected portion of the nail.
How to check nails and moles for melanoma
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends looking out for the following changes in your nails:
- A dark streak: A brown or black band in the nail, often on the thumb or big toe of your dominant hand or foot. However, it can show up on any nail.
- Dark skin next to your nail: When the skin around your nail becomes darker, it could be a sign of advanced melanoma.
- Nail lifting from your fingers or toes: If your nail starts to separate from the nail bed, this could be a cause for concern.
- Nail splitting: The nail splitting down the middle could be a sign of melanoma.
- A bump or nodule under your nails: You might also see a band of color on your nail, which could be wide and irregular or dark and narrow.
While some may spot melanoma in their nails, the first sign is usually a change in the size, shape, color, or feel of a mole anywhere on the skin.
MedlinePlus recommends following the the “ABCDE” method to check your moles:
- Asymmetry: The shape of one half does not match the other
- Border: The edges are ragged, blurred or irregular
- Color: The color is uneven and may include shades of black, brown and tan
- Diameter: There is a change in size, usually an increase
- Evolving: The mole has changed over the past few weeks or months
Dr. Samantha Ellis is a Board-Certified Dermatologist based in Danville, California. She graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Biology from the University of California, Los Angeles and went on to complete her medical doctorate at the University of Michigan Medical School.
