ITV doctor warns that lesser-known red flag sign on your nails could be cancer

A little known sign that can be spotted in your nails may be a red flag of some serious health issues including cancer.

While our natural fingernails may not be something we tend to pay a lot of attention to, their appearance can sometimes be a 'clue' as to what's going on with our health. Dr Amir Khan - who regularly appears as an expert on ITV's Lorraine - has said that our nails should be smooth with a "consistent colour all the way through", reports the Mirror.

It is totally normal to have the odd spot of colour in our nails, especially if you've jammed it in a door or got it hurt in some form of injury. As we grow older, the doctor has also said it is normal for "vertical ridges" to form along the nailbed.

However, there are some lesser-known things that happen to our nails that you should be keeping an eye out for.

In a recent social media post, Dr Khan explained that while nail changes on their own doesn't diagnose a condition straight away, it could really help the professionals along the way when checking your health. In an Instagram post, the expert warned his followers to watch out for something called yellow nail syndrome.

Dr Khan said: "Yellow nail syndrome is when the nails turn yellow, get thicker and don't grow as fast. It can be a sign of cancer, fluid on the lungs, bronchitis and rheumatoid arthritis... it's also worth noting that nails can be affected by chemotherapy."

According to the WebMD website, yellow nail syndrome is 'rare' and is typically spotted in those over the age of 50. The disease is caused by a build-up of lymph - a clear or white fluid made up of blood cells.

This condition is more often than not seen in those suffering from breast cancer, lung cancer and lymphoma.

The NHS has stated that most issues with our nails are not "usually caused by anything serious" and told people they should be cleaning their nails regularly with a soft brush. They also told Brits to cut back any injured or loose nails to prevent further pain and apply hand cream to the fingertips and nails as well.

The NHS did warn those who have seen their nail change shape, colour or fall off altogether - without any explanation - to contact their GP for further advice.

You should also speak to a doctor if the skin around your nails becomes "sore, red, swollen and warm" as this can be a sign of an infection or ingrown nail.

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