Rarely, however, a dark streak beneath a nail can be a sign of subungual melanoma, a form of melanoma involving the nail unit.
Warning features include a streak that:
- Is new and unexplained
- Becomes wider or darker
- Has irregular pigmentation
- Changes over time
- Affects one nail rather than several
- Extends onto the skin surrounding the nail
A dark nail streak does not mean you have cancer. But an unexplained or changing streak should be examined by a dermatologist or other qualified healthcare professional.
3. Unusual Changes in Your Nails
The nail image also shows horizontal lines and grooves.
Nails can reflect changes in the body, but nail abnormalities are not diagnostic by themselves.
Horizontal grooves known as Beau's lines can appear when nail growth is temporarily interrupted. This can happen after significant illness, injury, severe stress on the body, or certain treatments.
Other nail changes can be associated with nutritional deficiencies, thyroid problems, infections, inflammatory diseases, or repeated trauma.
Pay attention if you notice a sudden change affecting multiple nails, particularly if it occurs together with symptoms such as:
Unexplained fatigue, weakness, hair loss, changes in weight, skin changes, or persistent illness.
Rather than trying to identify the cause from the appearance alone, a healthcare professional can examine the nails and determine whether further testing is appropriate.
4. Small Bumps or Spots Around the Lips
The small bumps shown around the lips can have numerous causes.
Some may be harmless conditions such as Fordyce spots, which are visible sebaceous glands. Others may represent irritation, allergic reactions, acne-like lesions, infections, or other dermatological conditions.
Cold sores are another possibility when lesions are painful, blister-like, or preceded by tingling or burning.