Doctor warns of little-known cancer symptoms you can see on your toenails and should get checked right away

A doctor has urged people to get this little-known but 'serious' toenail cancer symptom checked as soon as possible.

If the last time you had a proper look at your toenails was when you painted them, you’re certainly not alone.

But according to health experts, your toenails can sometimes reveal changes that are worth paying attention to - and in rare cases, they could be linked to skin cancer.

One particular change experts say you shouldn’t simply brush off is a dark or unusual streak appearing underneath the nail.

While there are plenty of harmless reasons this can happen, including an injury, it can occasionally be a sign of melanoma, a type of skin cancer.

You should be checking your toenails (Getty Stock Photo)

Where can melanomas form?

Melanoma typically appears on part of the skin that has been exposed to sun for large periods of time, but it can quickly spread to other parts of the body.

However, it's not only your skin that's at risk, as the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) notes that, 'although rare', skin cancer can develop under and around the fingernails and toenails.

Known as subungual melanoma, or nail melanoma, this type of melanoma isn't linked to sun exposure. It's most likely to develop in the big toe, thumb or index finger, and is described as 'serious' by the Cleveland Clinic.

Anyone can get subungual melanoma, though people between 50 and 70 years old have a higher risk of developing the type of cancer. It’s also more common in people of African-American, Asian or Hispanic descent.

Melanoma is the most common form of skin cancer (Getty Stock Photo)

What are the signs of nail melanoma?

There are a number of indicators of nail melanoma that you can look out for, with dermatologists cited by the AADA listing five specific signs.

1. A dark, black or brown streak in the nail. This is often visible on the thumb or big toe of your dominant hand or foot, though it can show up on any nail.
2. Dark skin next to or around your nail
3. Nail lifting from your fingers or toes as your nail starts to separate from the nail bed
4. Nail splitting down the center
5. A bump or nodule on nail, as well as possibly a band of color which could be wide and irregular or dark and narrow

Doctors have recommended that you visit a dermatologist if you notice any changes to your nails, including a new dark band on your nail.

It’s important to remember that most nail changes won’t be cancer. However, knowing what’s normal for you can make it easier to spot something that isn’t - and getting unusual changes checked promptly could make all the difference.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.