Dermatologist Reveals Dark Vertical Line On Your Nails Could Be Cancer

A US-based board-certified dermatologist, Dr Lindsey Zubritsky, has issued a warning about a rare but deadly form of skin cancer. She took to social media to appeal to her followers to carefully check their nails for a vertical line, as it may be a sign of subungual melanoma. In an Instagram video, Dr Zubritsky stated, “If you have a dark-pigmented vertical streak going down your nail, this absolutely should be checked.”

In a 48-second clip, she added, “While it’s not common, it can be easily missed if you don’t know what you’re looking for.”

Watch the video here:

This kind of melanoma makes up only 0.7% to 3.5% of malignant melanomas globally. Notably, as per NY Post, the cancer’s stage and degree of dissemination at the time of diagnosis have a significant impact on a patient’s chances of survival.

Dr Zubritsky underlined that not all dark streaks on nails are dangerous or indicative of subungual melanomas. She explained that a longitudinal melanonychia, or vertical nail stripe that is brown or black, is often not harmful.

The dermatologist added that the streak is more likely to be benign if it is lighter, constant and appears on several nails. Additionally, Dr Zubritsky emphasised the distinction between a subungual hematoma and a subungual melanoma.

A subungual hematoma occurs when blood accumulates under the nail due to trauma, such as getting a finger caught in a door or accidentally striking it with a hammer.

Hematomas generally resolve as the nail grows out over time. Dr Zubritsky concluded the video by advising viewers to seek medical attention if they notice a dark vertical line on their nails. Such a line could be an indication of subungual melanoma, she cautioned.

According to Medical News Today, the key symptoms of subungual melanoma are:

1. Black or brown lines in the nail without any apparent wound.

2. Nail streaks that get bigger over time.

3. A nail bruise that fails to heal or progress with the fingernail’s growth.

4. Fingernails and toenails that separate from the nail bed.

5. Darkening of the skin surrounding the nail.

6. A bleeding or nodule-forming nail.

7. The nail plate may be thinned, cracked or deformed.

It’s crucial to remember that subungual melanoma does not seem connected to sun exposure, in contrast to certain other forms of the condition.