The finger nail changes that could be a sign of cancer
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The changes can happen in the nail bed or in the nail plate itself. Nail changes can be temporary or may last.
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Your hands could give away cancer symptoms.
Changes to your body happen all the time. Especially as the summer comes around and you might be spending more time outdoors, topping up your tan or enjoying the outside world.
But next time you’re checking out your tan, it might also be worth having a look at your finger and toe nails. That is because the American Cancer Society says changes to your nails can be a tell-tale sign of something more sinister.
In fact, some types of cancers can cause changes to your nails. These could be temporary changes to the nail bed or plate itself, or could be something that lasts.
Meanwhile Cancer Research says finger clubbing – which can take years to develop – is a sign of heart and lung problems. Both fingers and toe nails are listed as possible unnoticed cancer symptoms by the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The American Cancer Society has come up with a list of nail changes to look out for. They include:
Dark areas near the cuticle of the nail (subungual lesions)
These appear like bruises under the nails. They are often found along the bottom edge of the nail, near to the cuticle.
These kinds of colour changes can be seen in melanoma – the fifth most common kind of cancer. They can also be a side effect of some drugs commonly used to treat the condition.
Fissures
These are small or thin cracks or cuts on the finger tips, nail plate or bed. They can often be very painful.
Haemorrhages (splinter haemorrhage)
These are tiny red lines in the nails. They are actually small areas of bleeding under the nail plate itself.
Hyperpigmentation
Nail plates are usually clear. But some medications can cause a darkening of the skin or nail itself.
Usually this darkening is temporary. But sometimes it is permanent and can occur in some parts of the nail or even all over.
Inflammation (paronychia)
Redness, and sometimes swelling of the nailbed and surrounding finger or toe, sometimes with an infection that is bacterial or fungal. It can be very painful and can limit your ability to do normal daily activities.
Lifting of the nail plate (onycholysis)
This is most commonly a temporary condition, although it can be upsetting. Onycholysis happens when the nail lifts up from the bed, making it likely to fall off. This makes it more susceptible to infection.
Nail Loss
Complete loss of the nail plate. Some medications cause the nail plate to loosen entirely and be lost. This is temporary but can be painful and can increase the risk of infection.
Ridges or lines in the plate
Some medication causes different looking ridges, or even different coloured lines in the plate. These may happen and remain throughout treatment and will usually grow out once the nail grows completely. Usually these types of changes are not painful.
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