It is common to have white marks or spots on the nails. Generally, they do not cause harm. There can be many reasons for such spots, such as deficiency of nutrients like protein, calcium, zinc, vitamin A, iron, magnesium, sodium and copper. But not every mark on the nails is that light. There is also a sign that, if seen, you should immediately run to the doctor. A doctor warned about this and said that if you are careless, you can get into big trouble.
According to the report in the New York Post, as soon as US-based Dr Lindsay Zubritsky shared it on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, the video went viral. In the 48-second clip, she asked her followers to check if they have a dark vertical line going down their nails, then they should visit a doctor and get it checked. This may be a sign of a rare type of skin cancer, Subungual Melanoma. Although this is rare, it is a serious type of skin cancer, and if anyone notices it, they should immediately reach the hospital.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, FAAD (@dermguru)
She added that this can be a very serious form of skin cancer. It accounts for only 0.7 per cent to 3.5 per cent of all malignant melanomas worldwide. A patient’s survival chances will depend on the stage of cancer at diagnosis and how far it spreads.
Doctors have not been able to find out the exact cause of subungual melanoma to date, but it doesn’t occur due to sun exposure. If someone has a family history of this disease, they are at higher risk. This Subungual Melanoma is most common on the big toe, but sometimes it also appears on the fingers or toe.
According to the report from Verywell Health, people generally mistake it for a fungal infection. But these brown or black coloured stripes on the nails can prove fatal. It is also noteworthy that not all dark streaks on the nails are skin cancer, but if it looks soft and the line is light, then definitely get it checked.
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