Your nails can surprisingly be a good indicator of your overall health. Which is why it's important for everyone to be aware of what your nails are telling you.
What is a melanoma?
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, and usually develops in the cells that produce melanin. This means that a melanoma can occur anywhere in your body. However, the most common places where a melanoma develops are in places that are usually exposed to the sun, such as your face, neck, back, legs, and arms.
The most common sign of a melanoma would be found in unusual or irregularly shaped moles, which also change shape and size over time.
But having a mark on your fingernail can also be a sign of melanoma.
Acral-lentiginous melanoma
A melanoma under the nail, also known as acral-lentiginous melanoma, is a rare, but nonetheless risky form of melanoma.
It's usually characterized by a dark line under the nail, but it can also sometimes manifest in the palm of the hands, or in the soles of the feet.
If you see that you have a distinct dark line on one of your nails, then don't hesitate to go to a doctor to get a proper diagnosis. Any skin changes that seem unusual should always be consulted with your doctor to get a proper diagnosis.
Various types of treatments are used in order to address melanomas, and in some cases, chemotherapy is used in order to kill the cancer cells.
By far the most important thing to remember when it comes to melanomas is that it's best to get it diagnosed early than too late. The earlier it can be detected, the better, since early detection can significantly increase the chances of it being cured.
Source: rd.com, mayoclinic.org
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