An American woman discovered she had melanoma after noticing an unusual change in her thumbnail.
Lauren Koltcz observed a peculiar alteration to her nail, stating: “It started out as a tiny little brown line on the bottom of my nail. I was like, well, that’s odd,”.
Initially, a doctor advised her to consult a dermatologist, but Koltcz, hailing from Ohio, delayed the appointment due to other commitments. It wasn’t until she stumbled upon a TikTok video that she realised the potential gravity of her situation.
She recounted: “I was scrolling on TikTok, and I happened to come across a dermatologist saying, ‘If you see these signs on your nails, make sure you go see your doctor very quickly.’ And I was like, oh, well, this doesn’t sound good.”
Following a specialist’s examination, the teacher received a melanoma diagnosis, reports the Mirror.
Allison Vidimos, MD, a dermatologist at Cleveland Clinic, explained: “Her biopsy showed what’s called a melanoma in situ, what that means is that the melanoma cells are just in the upper layer of the skin. It was not invasive, so her outcome should be very good.”
Ultimately, Koltcz had to undergo surgery to remove the entire nail. She remarked: “It is rare, and it’s scary that it’s rare because a lot of people would not think to check their nails.”
Reflecting on her ordeal, she issued a cautionary message: “I thought about my kids a lot during this whole process. And so, I beg people, please check everything. Don’t put it off. Prevention is key.”
Another warning sign to watch for in your nails, aside from a dark streak, is the appearance of darkened skin adjacent to the nail. The American Academy of Dermatology Association has highlighted that “When the skin around your nail becomes darker, it could be a sign of advanced melanoma,”.
You should also book an appointment with a specialist if you observe your nail detaching from your fingers or toes, if your nail splits down the centre, or if there’s a lump or nodule beneath your nails.
The AADA has warned that nail melanoma is “often diagnosed at a more advanced stage than melanoma on the skin, making it more dangerous for your health”. They further advise: “If you notice any changes to your nails, including a new dark band on your nail, make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist.”
The NHS recommends monitoring moles as they can indicate melanoma. Although melanomas can develop anywhere on the body, they are more frequently found on areas regularly exposed to sunlight.
It’s important to check your skin for any unusual alterations such as moles that are asymmetrical or display a variety of colours.
The NHS strongly encourages individuals to consult a GP if they have a mole that is swollen, painful, bleeding, itching, or flaking, emphasising that “finding a melanoma as early as possible can mean it’s easier to treat”.
