Skin cancer symptoms: Two lesser known warning signs found on the lips and nails

With temperatures at an all time high and many Britons getting a vitamin D top up from the sun, the warning of skin cancer is prevalent. As many know, the sun is extremely powerful, and cancer of the skin is far more common than many realise. If you see this unusual symptom on either your lips or fingernails it could mean you’re at risk.

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Dry, chapped lips

The Skin Cancer Foundation said you might think you have severely chapped lips, but that could be a warning sign of actinic cheilitis.

It explained: “This precancerous condition typically appears on the lower lip as scaly patches or roughness.

“Left untreated, it can evolve into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).”

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What are actinic cheilitis?

Solar cheilitis is a degenerative condition of the tissue of the lips after years of exposure to ultraviolet light, such as sunlight.

The American Academy of Oral Medicine explained: “It is a premalignant condition more common in adults and the risk increases with age.

“Men are affected more commonly than women.

“Individuals with fair skin have a higher rate of solar changes and outdoor workers who don’t use sun protection are particularly at risk.”

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Dark fingernail

You might think that a dark line under your fingernail is just a bruise, but it could be a sign of melanoma, warned the Skin Cancer Foundation.

It added: “Called subungual melanoma, it’s very rare – accounting for about 3.5 percent of all melanoma cases – and it is potentially deadly.

“It starts as a brown or black streak under a fingernail or a toenail, but often increases in size.

“It can cause the nail to separate from the nail bed, and lead to a darkening of the skin near the nail.

“Dark lines under fingernails that are caused by melanoma tend to be thicker than the harmless splinter-width lines that people get from injuries or hereditary, and they tend to worsen.

“If you have a line under your nails not caused by trauma, such as closing the door on your fingers, see a dermatologist for an evaluation.”

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What is subungual melanoma?

Subungual melanoma is a type of melanoma which affects a person’s nails.

This type of melanoma does not grow in the surrounding skin but rather begins in the nail matrix.

Sometimes melanoma looks like other conditions which affect the nail bed such as a bruise.

The condition is relatively rare; however, it can lead to serious complications and therefore early detection and treatment is a must.

To reduce your risk of skin cancer, it’s strongly advised to wear sunscreen all year round.

Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 applied generously will make a significant difference.

Avoiding the sun during the middle of the day is another way to reduce your risk as the sun’s rays tend to be the strongest between 10am and 4pm.

If you notice new and unusual signs on your lips, fingernails or skin, it’s important to speak to your GP about the possible cause.

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