IF you love a bit of sun, you might know to check your skin for worrying moles, blemishes and marks.

But did you know that the deadly skin cancer, melanoma, can develop in obscure places? On or around your nails. Here's how to spot the lesser-known signs.

With the Met Office predicting temperatures could hit 30C in parts of the UK, it’s not just new or evolving moles you need to look out for, but warning signs in your fingernails and toenails too.

Dr Magnus Lynch, consultant dermatologist, tells Sun Health: "Changes in your fingernails can be an early warning sign of cancer.

"This is because nails reflect what's going on inside the body, including how it's using oxygen and nutrients, and fighting disease."

Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, and rates are steadily rising, according to Cancer Research UK.

It’s usually caused by UV light from the sun, which can damage the DNA in skin cells and trigger abnormal growth.

And though it's rare for skin cancer - including melanoma - to develop under and around your fingernails and toenails, it does happen.

It tends to be more common in people of colour, and if you're older, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD).

You could also be at risk if you have a family history of melanoma or you've injured your nails in the past.

There are five signs to watch out for on and around your nails that could indicate you have melanoma.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, adds: "While not all these symptoms mean cancer, it’s important to get them checked out, as early detection is crucial."

1. A dark streak

This may look like a brown or black band on your nail, the AAD said.

It's most likely to show up on the thumb or big toe of your dominant hand or foot. However, the discolouration could develop on any one of your nails.

A woman recently took to TikTok to recount how a 'cool' nail streak she'd had for 10 years - which looked like a brown line painted across her nail - turned out to be a sign of subungual melanoma.

People who have melanoma under their nail may wrongly believe they just have bruising, or not even notice a change at all. Aside from a line, it can also look like irregular pigmentation under the nail.

Maria Sylvia revealed that her own dark streak grew from the nailbed, where a cancerous mole sat.

2. Your nail lifting from your fingers or toes

You might think you've just stubbed your toe, but a nail peeling or lifting off from the skin might be the sign of something more sinister, according to the AAD.

It explained: "When this happens, your nail starts to separate from the nail bed.

"The white free edge at the top of your nail will start to look longer as the nail lifts."

3. Your nail splitting

Your nail splitting down the middle is yet another possible sign of melanoma.

This is because the cancer can weaken the nail plate, causing it to crack or split, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

4. A bump or nodule under your nails

Pay attention if you notice something bumpy under your nail.

You might also see a band of colour on your nail.

It could be wide and irregular or dark and narrow, the American Academy of Dermatology explains.

5. Thick nail

A thickened bit under your nail could be a warning sign of a rare genetic condition that raises the risk of several cancers, a study published last year found.

The disorder, called BAP1 tumour predisposition syndrome, affects a gene that normally helps stop cells from growing out of control and turning cancerous.

It also plays a key role in fixing damaged DNA.

People with the condition face a higher risk of tumours in the skin - like melanoma - eyes, kidneys, and the lining of the chest and abdomen.

What to do if your nails look dodgy

Nail melanoma is often diagnosed at a more advanced stage than melanoma on the skin, according to the AAD.

It advised you to see a dermatologist if you notice changes to your nails.

"The good news is that when found early, melanoma - even on the nails - is highly treatable," the AAD said.

So it's useful to know what to look for and to regularly check your nails.

Laura Harker, a screening nurse at The MOLE Clinic, advised to also keep an eye on other less obvious areas, such as your hairline, behind the ears, the soles of your feet and your arms.

There are two main types of skin cancer.

Non-melanoma skin cancers are diagnosed a combined 147,000 times a year in the UK, while melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, is diagnosed 17,500 times a year.

According to Cancer Research UK, one in 35 men and one in 41 women in the UK will now be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in their lifetime.

GP Dr Philippa Kaye told Sun Health: “It’s important to know your body and become familiar with your moles and skin and what they look like, so you will recognise if something changes,” 

“See a doctor if you notice a mole is changing, which can be in colour, size, appearance but also in sensation - so if a mole is bleeding, crusty or becomes sore or itchy.”

Your GP will likely use the ABCDE mnemonic to help tell if a mole is cancerous or not, and you can use it at home too.