Subungual melanoma, also referred to as cancer of the nail unit, is a type of malignancy that arises in the tissues of the nail bed. Melanoma is a type of cancer that develops in cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their color.
While subungual melanomas are most commonly found on the thumb or big toe, they can occur on any of the fingernails or toenails. They’re often misdiagnosed as a fungal infection due to their characteristic changes in color and nail texture.
Most cases of skin melanoma are caused by sun exposure. This is why Podiatrist Dallas, Tx warn against tanning and unprotected sun exposure. However, subungual melanoma isn’t usually caused by the sun. Most cases seem to be caused by injury or trauma. It also tends to affect middle-aged and older adults with darker skin.
Additionally, subungual melanoma is more prevalent in the nails of your thumbs and big toes.
Various Causes of Black Toenail
There are various reasons for black toenails and many causes are easy to treat.
The cause of a black toenail may be benign or quite serious.It is important for a person who develops a black toenail to understand some of the potential causes.
When in doubt, it is a good idea to be examined by a medical professional who can diagnose the problem and develop an effective treatment plan.
Repetitive trauma
When a person wears poorly-fitting shoes, they may be at risk of developing black toenails due to repetitive trauma.
Repetitive stress injuries include a large group of conditions that primarily affect the soft tissues, including the nerves, tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
In mild cases, the black toenail will grow out naturally over time without treatment. In severe cases, such as when the nail begins to detach from the nail bed, a person should seek medical treatment.
Blunt force
In some cases, the trauma may be a one-time blunt-force injury, if a person drops a heavy object on their foot or toes. When this happens, blood vessels in the nail bed break, causing blood to pool there.
Blunt force trauma is routinely involved in cases classified as accidents, as well as in cases of suicide and homicide.
The injured toe will start to hurt and pool blood beneath the skin almost immediately. The build-up of blood will cause the toe to feel painful and swollen.
Fungal infections
Fungal infections are another common problem that can cause black toenails to form. Typically, a fungal infection causes a white or yellowish discoloration
Toenails are particularly susceptible to fungal infections, as socks and shoes can provide a warm and moist breeding ground for a fungus to become established. Fungal infections can usually be prevented with proper foot care.
Melanoma
Subungual melanoma, also referred to as cancer of the nail unit, is a type of malignancy that arises in the tissues of the nail bed.
Melanoma is a type of cancer that develops in cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their color.
Podiatrist Dallas, Tx while subungual melanomas are most commonly found on the thumb or big toe, they can occur on any of the fingernails or toenails. They’re often misdiagnosed as a fungal infection due to their characteristic changes in color and nail texture.
Melanoma develops slowly, and without other symptoms, so it is often not noticed in the early stages, especially if it originates under the toenail.
Signs of Black Toenail
Women are encouraged to remove all fingernail polish and inspect under nail beds as often as possible. The polish may disguise the actual nail color and delay detection.
The darkened pigmentation is a chief hallmark symptom of subungual of the nail matrix. Conversely, it should be noted that up to half of all cases of subungual melanoma is amelanotic not pigmented and is painless.
This may be a sign of melanoma. While you may think the deadliest type of skin cancer always shows up as a mole or dark spot, it can actually start in the nail.
In more advanced cases, it can spread on to the cuticle area or the skin around the nail. That’s an ominous sign it’s means it’s growing and spreading.
The main symptoms associated with subungual melanoma are the following:
A bruised nail, and dark streaks or stains on the nail with no known cause, may be signs of subungual melanoma.
· brown or black streaks in the nail without any known injury
· streaks on the nails that increase in size
· a bruise on the nail that will not heal or move up as the fingernail grows
· fingernails or toenails that separate from the nail bed
· darkening skin next to the nail
· a nail that bleeds or develops a nodule
· thinning, cracking, or distortion of the nail plate
One of the key indications of subungual melanoma is known as Hutchinson’s sign. This is when a person has a streak that extends from the tip of the nail down to the nail bed and into the cuticle.
Hormones and certain medications can also make pigmented bands in the nails, but be especially watchful for nail cancer symptoms, such as a brown or dark stripe that goes from the cuticle out to the free edge of the nail.
Subungual melanoma occasionally occurs without the distinctive pigmented streaks. In this instance, a Podiatrist Dallas, Tx may experience the other symptoms that are associated with subungual infections, including changes to the nail itself, bleeding, and pain at the nail bed.
Risk factors
Having certain risk factors does not mean someone will get subungual melanoma, but it does mean they are more at risk for the condition and should be especially vigilant for early symptoms.
The most significant risk factor for subungual melanoma is prolonged exposure to the sun and ultraviolet light.
Other risk factors include:
· Fair skin.
Having less pigment (melanin) in your skin means you have less protection from damaging UV radiation. But melanoma can develop in people with darker complexions, including Hispanic people and black people.
· Excessive ultraviolet (UV) light exposure.
Exposure to UV radiation, which comes from the sun and from tanning lights and beds, can increase the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma.
· Living closer to the equator or at a higher elevation.
People living closer to the earth’s equator, where the sun’s rays are more direct, experience higher amounts of UV radiation than do those living farther north or south. In addition, if you live at a high elevation, you’re exposed to more UV radiation.
· Having many moles or unusual moles.
Having more than 50 ordinary moles on your body indicates an increased risk of melanoma. Also, having an unusual type of mole increases the risk of melanoma.
· Weakened immune system.
People with weakened immune systems have an increased risk of melanoma and other skin cancers. Your immune system may be impaired if you take medicine to suppress the immune system, such as after an organ transplant, or if you have a disease that impairs the immune system, such as AIDS.
