Mlanoma: these signs on your nails are worth watching for!

And melanoma is a skin cancer that develops from cells called melanocytes. To spot it early enough and treat it better, it is important to regularly examine your skin… and your nails! We will explain everything to you.

Melanoma is a skin cancer that develops from cells called melanocytes. These produce melanin, a pigment that colors the skin.

It is important to regularly examine your skin and monitor your moles. This is the best way to detect skin cancer when it appears.

To tell the difference between a mole and a melanoma, the National Cancer Institute recommends remembering these points:

All moles look the same. If one of your moles is not like the others, it should catch your attention ;
Also be vigilant of any changes: a brown spot that appears on the skin or a mole that changes appearance should lead you to consult a specialist ;
The “ABCDE” rule should help you recognize the warning signs: A for asymmetry, B for irregular edges, C for non-homogeneous color, D for diameter and E for evolution (change in size, shape, color or thickness).

Thus, a dermatologist can carry out this clinical examination of the skin and remove, if necessary, suspicious lesions.

Examining your body for signs of skin cancer is a very good thing. But don’t forget to check your nails! Although rare, skin cancer can develop under and around the nails, hands and feet.

When detected early enough, melanoma is fairly treatable.

To check your nails, dermatologists recommend paying attention to:

A dark streak that may look like a brown spot on the nail, often the thumb or big toe;
Dark skin next to the nail;
The nail raised from your fingers or toenails: The white free edge of the nail begins to appear longer as the nail lifts;
The nail may split in the middle;
A bump or nodule under the nail: A band of color may also appear under the nail.

Examination of the body must be done regularly to avoid missing melanoma. It can be done at home or in the office, with a dermatologist.