Subtle sign on your nail bed could be symptom of rare skin cancer

14 November 2023 , 15:58

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Our nails can tell al lot about our health (stock image) (Image: Getty Images)

Our bodies have clever ways of telling us something is wrong, from physical symptoms such as a headache or a runny nose to more unusual signs such as fatigue or a persistent cough, you know when it's time to take a visit to your GP.

It's also good to know that our fingernails can reveal a lot about our health too. They can highlight deficiencies as well as more sinister health issues hiding deep down and there is one subtle sign that can appear on our nails that could be a symptom of rare skin cancer. So it's important to keep an eye on our nails in case of any changes - and someone who will be the first to notice changes are nail technicians.

Even though any health issues should be flagged to a doctor, nail technicians can usually spot warning signs on nails. "We are primarily focused on nail care, so if we notice something unusual, we might suggest that the client consult a health care professional for proper evaluation," Silva Nahabedian, a director of education at Dazzle Dry told Huffington Post.

Sometimes our nails can be the "first place to show signs of sickness" stated Marcela Correa, a licensed medical pedicurist who owns Medi Pedi NYC. Both Marcela and Silva have had first had experience of coming across a client showing signs of a rare cancer. They state how they noticed brown-black discolouration on the nail bed, and both clients "were diagnosed with subungual melanoma, a rare type of skin cancer — which, thanks to their nail techs, was caught early."

It doesn't always mean it will be a sign of cancer, as brown marks nails can be bruising and from a trauma, but it's still recommended to get it checked out. "Multiple pigmented bands are usually no worrisome. When stimulated, the melanocytes begin to produce pigment, appearing as a brown, lengthwise band in the nail. Trauma to the matrix region is a definite stimulator," Dr. Dana Stern, a board-certified dermatologist explained.

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Other nail changes to look out for, as advised by Dr Dana Stern include:

• A change in nail shape - curved or clubbed
• Texture changes - peeling, brittle, or ridged
• A change in colour

If you have any concerns, it's always advised to consult your local GP for any worries.

Niamh Kirk