Can you get skin cancer on your hands? Yes, skin cancer can appear on the backs of the hands, fingers, palms, around the nails, or under a fingernail. A rough patch, sore, bump, scab, or nail change that does not heal, grows, bleeds, or changes should be checked by a dermatologist.
Because the hands are frequently exposed to the sun, they can develop UV-related skin damage over time. The hands are also easy to overlook during sunscreen application and at-home skin checks.
What Does Skin Cancer on the Hand Look Like?
Skin cancer on the hand can look different depending on the type of skin cancer, the person’s skin tone, and where the spot appears. It may look like a small sore, a rough patch, a scab that keeps coming back, or a raised bump.
Possible early signs of skin cancer on the hand include:
- A sore that does not heal
- A rough, scaly, or crusted patch
- A firm red, pink, or flesh-colored bump
- A shiny or pearly bump
- A wart-like growth
- A scab that keeps returning
- A spot that bleeds, crusts, or oozes
- A tender, painful, itchy, or burning area
- A mole or dark spot that changes
- A streak, dark spot, or change under a fingernail
- A spot that looks different from others on your skin
Not every spot on the hand is skin cancer. Many marks are caused by dryness, irritation, injury, infection, eczema, warts, age spots, or other skin conditions. However, a persistent or changing spot should be evaluated.
Why Skin Cancer Can Develop on the Hands
The hands are exposed to the sun during many everyday activities, including driving, walking, gardening, sports, outdoor work, and errands. Over time, sun exposure and ultraviolet (UV) radiation can damage skin cells and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Skin cancer risk on the hands may be higher if you have:
- A history of sunburns
- Frequent outdoor sun exposure
- Fair or freckled skin
- Many moles or irregular moles
- A personal history of skin cancer
- A family history of skin cancer
- A weakened immune system
- Previous radiation exposure
- A history of tanning bed use
- Long-term exposure to certain chemicals or irritants
The backs of the hands often receive more UV exposure than the palms. However, skin cancer can still appear on the palms, fingers, nail area, or under the nails.
Skin Cancer on the Back of the Hand
The back of the hand is one of the more common hand locations for sun-related skin damage. This area is often exposed to UV rays and may not receive enough sunscreen.
Skin cancer on the back of the hand may look like:
- A rough or scaly patch
- A crusted spot
- A firm red or pink bump
- A sore that does not heal
- A wart-like growth
- A spot that bleeds or becomes tender
- A thickened area on sun-damaged skin
Squamous cell skin cancer is an important consideration on the backs of the hands because it commonly appears on sun-exposed areas. Basal cell skin cancer can also develop on sun-exposed skin, including the hands.
Skin Cancer on Fingers
Skin cancer on the fingers can develop between the fingers, around the knuckles, or near the nail folds. These areas can be affected by sun exposure, repeated irritation, injury, or other risk factors.
Skin cancer on a finger may appear as:
- A persistent sore
- A crusted or scaly area
- A firm bump
- A wart-like growth
- A spot that cracks, bleeds, or does not heal
- A changing mole or dark spot
- A painful or tender lesion
Because fingers are used constantly, irritation and minor injuries are common. Still, a spot that does not heal or keeps returning should not be ignored.
Skin Cancer Under the Fingernail
Skin cancer on or under a nail can sometimes appear under or around a fingernail. This may include melanoma or other types of skin cancer. Nail changes can be easy to mistake for bruising, injury, fungus, or normal nail changes.
Warning signs under or around a fingernail may include:
- A dark streak in the nail
- A dark spot under the nail that does not grow out
- A nail that lifts, splits, or becomes distorted
- Pigment that spreads onto the surrounding skin
- A sore near the nail that does not heal
- Bleeding, crusting, or swelling around the nail
- A painful or changing nail area
A dark streak or nail change is not always skin cancer, but it should be evaluated if it is new, changing, spreading, or not explained by an injury.
Skin Cancer on the Palm
Skin cancer on the palm is less commonly linked to sun exposure than skin cancer on the backs of the hands, but it can still occur. A spot on the palm may be missed because people often focus on sun-exposed areas during skin checks.
A concerning spot on the palm may look like:
- A new or changing dark spot
- A sore that does not heal
- A thickened, crusted, or scaly area
- A spot that bleeds or becomes painful
- A mark that looks different from other spots on your skin
- A lesion that grows or changes over time
Any new or changing spot on the palm should be checked, especially if it persists or looks unusual.
Types of Skin Cancer That Can Appear on the Hands
Several types of skin cancer can appear on the hands. The appearance and treatment approach can vary by type.
Basal cell skin cancer may appear as a shiny bump, pink patch, open sore, scar-like area, or scab that does not heal. It often grows slowly but can become larger or more difficult to treat if ignored.
Squamous cell skin cancer may appear as a rough, scaly patch, firm bump, crusted sore, or wart-like growth. It is especially important on sun-exposed areas such as the backs of the hands.
Melanoma may appear as a changing mole, dark spot, uneven mark, or nail streak. Melanoma can be more serious and should be evaluated promptly if suspected.
A dermatologist can determine whether a spot is skin cancer or another condition.
How to Check Your Hands for Skin Cancer
Checking your hands regularly can help you notice changes sooner. Look at both hands in good lighting, including the backs of the hands, palms, fingers, between the fingers, knuckles, wrists, nails, and skin around the nails.
When checking your hands, ask:
- Is there a sore that has not healed?
- Is there a scab that keeps coming back?
- Is a spot growing, bleeding, crusting, or changing?
- Does a patch feel rough, scaly, thick, or tender?
- Is there a new or changing mole?
- Is there a dark streak or spot under a fingernail?
- Does one spot look different from the others?
- Has a spot stayed for more than a few weeks?
For moles and dark spots, use the ABCDEs:
- Asymmetry: One half of the spot does not match the other.
- Border: The edges are uneven, jagged, blurred, or poorly defined.
- Color: The spot has more than one color, such as brown, black, red, white, blue, or pink.
- Diameter: The spot is larger than a pencil eraser or continues to grow.
- Evolving: The spot changes in size, shape, color, texture, or symptoms.
The “E” for evolving is especially important. A spot that changes should be checked.
When Should You See a Dermatologist?
Schedule a skin cancer screening if you notice a hand spot that does not heal, keeps returning, grows, bleeds, crusts, changes, hurts, itches, or looks different from other spots.
You should also get checked if you notice:
- A rough or scaly patch that does not go away
- A firm bump or wart-like growth
- A sore that cracks or bleeds
- A mole that changes in size, shape, color, or texture
- A new dark spot on the palm, finger, or nail area
- A dark streak under a fingernail
- A lesion near a nail that does not heal
- A spot on a previously treated area
- A spot that concerns you for any reason
A dermatologist may perform a visual exam, use dermoscopy, or recommend a biopsy if the spot looks suspicious. A biopsy is the only way to confirm whether a suspicious spot is skin cancer.
How Is Skin Cancer on the Hand Treated?
Treatment for skin cancer on the hand depends on the diagnosis, type of skin cancer, size, depth, location, biopsy findings, recurrence history, and provider recommendation.
Common treatment options may include:
- Mohs surgery: A surgical technique that removes thin layers of skin and checks them for cancer cells until no cancer remains.
- Surgical removal: A procedure that removes the skin cancer along with a margin of surrounding tissue.
- Image-Guided SRT: A non-surgical treatment option for certain nonmelanoma skin cancers, including basal cell skin cancer and squamous cell skin cancer.
- Other treatments: Depending on the diagnosis, options may include topical medication, cryotherapy, photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, or another approach recommended by your provider.
Hand location can matter because the hands are important for movement, grip, sensation, function, and appearance. Your dermatologist can explain which treatment options fit your specific diagnosis and location.
Is IGSRT an Option for Skin Cancer on the Hands?
IGSRT, also known as Image-Guided SRT, may be an option for eligible patients with certain nonmelanoma skin cancers, including basal cell skin cancer and squamous cell skin cancer.
For some eligible patients, IGSRT may help treat certain nonmelanoma skin cancers without cutting, stitches, or surgical scarring. It uses imaging and targeted radiation to treat the cancer while allowing the provider to monitor the area during treatment.
IGSRT is not appropriate for every skin cancer or every hand location. Eligibility depends on the diagnosis, cancer type, size, depth, location, medical history, and provider recommendation.
How to Help Protect Your Hands From Skin Cancer
Because the hands are exposed to UV rays during everyday activities, learning how to protect your hands from skin cancer should be part of your sun protection routine.
To help protect your hands:
- Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to the backs of your hands
- Reapply sunscreen after washing your hands, swimming, sweating, or toweling off
- Wear UV-protective gloves for driving or outdoor work when appropriate
- Seek shade when possible
- Avoid tanning beds, tanning booths, and sunlamps
- Check your hands and nails regularly for new or changing spots
- Schedule regular skin exams if you have risk factors or a history of skin cancer
It is easy for sunscreen to wash or rub off the hands throughout the day, so reapplication is especially important.
FAQ: Skin Cancer on Hands
Can you get skin cancer on your hands?
Yes. Skin cancer can appear on the backs of the hands, fingers, palms, around the nails, or under a fingernail. A persistent, changing, bleeding, crusting, or non-healing spot should be checked by a dermatologist.
What does skin cancer on the hand look like?
Skin cancer on the hand may look like a rough patch, sore, firm bump, shiny bump, scab, wart-like growth, changing mole, or nail change. It may bleed, crust, itch, hurt, or fail to heal.
Is skin cancer common on the backs of the hands?
The backs of the hands are common sites for sun-related skin damage because they are often exposed to UV rays. Squamous cell skin cancer can develop on sun-exposed areas such as the backs of the hands.
Can skin cancer appear on fingers?
Yes. Skin cancer can appear on the fingers, between the fingers, around the knuckles, or near the nails. A sore, bump, wart-like growth, or changing spot on a finger should be checked if it does not heal.
Can skin cancer grow under a fingernail?
Yes. Skin cancer can appear under or around a fingernail. Warning signs may include a dark streak, dark spot that does not grow out, nail distortion, pigment spreading onto nearby skin, or a sore that does not heal.
Can skin cancer appear on the palm?
Yes. Skin cancer can appear on the palm, although it may be less commonly linked to sun exposure than skin cancer on the backs of the hands. A new, changing, bleeding, painful, or non-healing spot on the palm should be evaluated.
Can a wart on the hand be skin cancer?
A wart-like growth is often a wart, but some skin cancers can look wart-like. If a wart-like spot grows, bleeds, hurts, changes, or does not respond as expected, schedule a dermatology exam.
When should I worry about a spot on my hand?
You should get a spot checked if it does not heal within a few weeks, keeps coming back, grows, changes color, bleeds, crusts, hurts, itches, or looks different from other spots on your skin.
How is skin cancer on the hand diagnosed?
A dermatologist may examine the spot, use dermoscopy, and recommend a biopsy if it looks suspicious. A biopsy is the only way to confirm whether a suspicious hand spot is skin cancer.
How is skin cancer on the hand treated?
Treatment depends on the type of skin cancer, size, depth, location, biopsy results, and provider recommendation. Options may include Mohs surgery, surgical removal, Image-Guided SRT, or other treatments recommended by your provider.
Is IGSRT an option for skin cancer on the hand?
IGSRT may be an option for eligible patients with certain nonmelanoma skin cancers, including basal cell skin cancer and squamous cell skin cancer. A dermatologist can determine whether IGSRT is appropriate for your diagnosis and location.
How can I protect my hands from skin cancer?
Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on the backs of your hands, reapply after washing or sweating, avoid tanning beds, wear protective gloves when appropriate, and check your hands and nails regularly for changes.
Learn More About Skin Cancer Treatment on the Hands With GentleCure®
If you notice a rough patch, sore, bump, scab, nail change, or hand spot that does not heal, schedule an exam with a dermatologist. Getting the right diagnosis is the first step toward the right treatment plan.
If you have been diagnosed with certain nonmelanoma skin cancers, including basal cell skin cancer or squamous cell skin cancer, GentleCure may be an option. GentleCure uses IGSRT, also known as Image-Guided SRT, a non-surgical treatment option for certain nonmelanoma skin cancers. For eligible patients, it may help treat basal cell skin cancer or squamous cell skin cancer without cutting, stitches, or surgical scarring.
Treatment recommendations depend on the diagnosis, cancer type, size, depth, location, medical history, and provider recommendation. You can also complete the Am I a Candidate? treatment quiz to learn more.
To learn more, call 855-936-4411 to speak with a Skin Cancer Information Specialist or find a participating dermatology practice near you.
