To be worried about skin discolouration, photo included

[Marmite17]

Had a faint shadow since February. Got sunburnt recently and area has got much worse, bigger and darker. Had tinnitus on that side following an ear infection, loud band. Have zingy salivary gland, also on the left.
Was thinking melasma, using factor 50 sunscreen now, usually very careful Swelling in front of ear came and went before sunburn.
Have a face to face GPs appointment in about 10 days time, but dark patch seems to be snaking into neck. Almost like a bruise. Friend thinks texture is cause for concern.
AIBU to be worried. Does this look like melasma?

Noone can give you a answer here
Ring the GP again, explain your concerns and hopefully they will be able to fit you in sooner

Can't really see your concern from the photo OP. Definitely see your GP.

Thanks for the replies.

I don’t think Melasma would cause the tethering/texture change to the skin, it should be superficial pigmentation changes, nothing deeper effecting underlying structures. I have melasma on both my cheekbones and at the side of my eyes and it’s totally flat and smooth to the skin.

Could you try to bring your GP appointment forward?

Could you post some more photos from different angles with your hair out of the way? Or in a different light?

This is my melasma (with a tiny bit of eczema/dry skin). Does it look like this?