A leading pharmacist has issued a serious warning about an unusual mark that can appear beneath your toenails—one that could potentially signal a life-threatening form of skin cancer. Sheena Bagga, a pharmacist prescriber at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, has drawn attention to how our toes and toenails can serve as windows into our overall health.
While often overlooked, they may provide early clues about serious medical conditions, including skin cancer, nutritional deficiencies, circulatory issues, and diabetes. “While often overlooked, your toenails and feet play a huge role in your overall health and it’s important to pay attention to their condition,” Bagga explained.
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“While everyone’s toes look different, healthy nails should have a smooth surface with light pink or translucent coloration without much variation in shade or hue.” One of the most concerning signs to be aware of is a dark line beneath the toenail.
According to Bagga, this can sometimes be a benign condition known as melanonychia, where a brown or black band runs lengthwise along the nail. However, she warns that in rare cases, this mark may indicate subungual melanoma, a potentially fatal type of skin cancer.
Subungual melanoma is a particularly insidious form of melanoma that, unlike most skin cancers, is not typically caused by sun exposure. Experts at the Cleveland Clinic note that it most often affects the big toe, thumb, or index finger.
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The condition is frequently misdiagnosed or ignored, with many mistaking it for a bruised nail from stubbing a toe or a common fungal infection. The Cleveland Clinic describes the appearance as similar to a dark line drawn with a marker: “It appears as a dark line on your nail and runs from bottom to top. This streak or stripe may start small but grow to cover the entire nail and extend to the cuticle.
The discoloration can be irregular and vary in shades of blackish brown.” In some cases, the nail may not change color at all, but a nodule could form beneath it, causing it to lift. Other symptoms include splitting, cracking, swelling, detachment from the nail bed, ulceration, or bleeding. Discoloration of the surrounding skin is another possible indicator.
Bagga also outlined other nail abnormalities to be mindful of:
- Yellow discoloration – Often linked to fungal infections.
- White toenails – Could stem from impact injuries, protein or mineral deficiencies, or fungal causes.
- Blue discoloration – May point to circulation problems, especially when combined with cold toes.
- Spoon nails – Nails curving upward can suggest iron deficiency or anemia.
Anyone noticing these symptoms is strongly urged to consult a healthcare professional.
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