Why might a stain under your nail be serious?

The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) recommends monitoring any changes in your skin, as they could be much more serious.

The IMSS called on the population to prevent Skin cancer, the most common cancer affecting humans , and consult your family doctor when you identify pigmented lesions, especially on the lower extremities or under the nails, or any skin bruise that does not disappear , in order to obtain timely detection and avoid affecting the quality of life.

The head of the Department of Head, Neck and Skin Tumors at the Oncology Hospital of the National Medical Center (CMN) Siglo XXI, Dr. José Francisco Gallegos Hernández, pointed out the importance of making a timely diagnosis of this disease that can have serious consequences if not detected in time .

He explained that skin cancer can be fatal, especially in its squamous cell and cutaneous melanoma varieties, and that people with light-colored skin, eyes, and hair should have adequate sun protection to prevent this disease .

Dr. Francisco Gallegos explained that the first group of care focuses on non-melanoma skin cancer, where It is recommended to consult a specialist if any skin lesion appears that does not disappear with the use of a moisturizing cream, ulcers, bleeding lesions or raised skin. .

"There are lesions that inherently carry a worse prognosis, such as those located on the nasal skin, the periorbicularis oculi (around the mouth), or the peri-ocular skin on the eyelids around the eyes; these are more aggressive tumors and require much faster treatment than other tumors," he commented.

He added that the second group includes melanomas, which are mostly pigmented and dark, so it is crucial to consult a specialist if any pigment appears subungually (under the nail), interdigitally (between the toes), plantarly or in any area of the skin, especially if the lesion changes, grows or bleeds .

The Social Security specialist indicated that quality of life is affected depending on the location of the skin cancer; for example, lesions in high-risk areas, such as the nasal or periocular region, have a significant impact on aesthetics and function . Therefore, early diagnosis is essential to minimize the after-effects of treatment.

He emphasized that the IMSS's CMN Siglo XXI Oncology Hospital promotes sun protection and medical consultation for any pigmented lesions. Early detection and timely treatment are key to improving patient survival and quality of life .

He noted that the IMSS stands out for its advances in treatments, including the use of creams that modify local immunology and reconstruction techniques to reduce after-effects.

With information from the IMSS

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