Rare Acral Melanoma Diagnosis Sign Shared by Woman

A woman's itchy foot led to a diagnosis of acral melanoma, a rare type of skin cancer that develops on the hands, feet, fingernails, or toenails. While most skin cancers occur on sun-exposed areas, acral melanomas occur on body parts that do not often receive a lot of sun. Surgery is often the first line of treatment, but in some cases, amputation may be necessary. People of color seem to be at greater risk for acral melanoma, and more research is needed to understand the causes and risk factors. It's important to be aware of your body and any changes, including unexplained streaks in the nail bed, and to practice prevention by using sunscreen and avoiding tanning beds.