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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WTF is this?

60 replies

toetoetoe1 · 02/01/2023 17:45

I’ll post a photo below!

Got a new brown patch of skin- on my fifth toe on the skin just above the nail. I don’t know exactly when it started but it wasn’t there a fortnight ago and I randomly noticed it in the shower on Friday. It isn’t that dark but it’s definitely brown and discoloured- I didn’t have any freckles or moles there before, and I haven’t had any blisters or cuts recently either. It’s flat and it’s not a scab or mole, it’s just the skin is brown. But I don’t use sunbeds and my toes are never exposed to the sun so I know it’s unlikely to be serious.

has anyone else had this before?!

OP posts:
RobbinBanksy · 02/01/2023 21:34

why is it so long 🤢

Original poster
toetoetoe1 · 02/01/2023 21:36

RobbinBanksy · 02/01/2023 21:34

why is it so long 🤢

Honestly I don’t know, it’s awful🤢 I hadn’t realised how long it had got! it’s cut now haha.

OP posts:
IncessantNameChanger · 02/01/2023 21:44

Hmm, if its got bigger then personally I'd be inclined to see my gp. Keep taking photos as well so you can see if it indeed keeps on growing

ShinyMe · 02/01/2023 21:47

toetoetoe1 · 02/01/2023 21:32

Oh that’s good to know, in my ignorance I just assumed areas covered up from the sun would be less likely to be serious or cancerous. Shows how little I know!

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I mean.. they're more LIKELY in areas that are exposed, but I understand they can pop up anywhere.

KimberleyClark · 02/01/2023 21:49

toetoetoe1 · 02/01/2023 18:16

Oh I’ve never even heard of that! I’ll have a little Google of it 👍

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If it was chilblains it would be red and very very itchy, driving you up the wall itchy.

FictionalCharacter · 03/01/2023 03:18

ShinyMe · 02/01/2023 19:19

I think the bruise via nail theory is very likely to be correct, but just to say this bit:
my toes are never exposed to the sun so I know it’s unlikely to be serious.
is not correct as far as I'm aware. Melanoma doesn't just appear on bits that are exposed to the sun, they can appear anywhere. As you have that family history, if it doesn't improve after cutting the nail then you should get it checked out.

Absolutely correct, and there’s a type of melanoma that appears on the soles of the feet. I’ve only seen pics of them (thanks to a previous job) but they don’t look like this. The shape and location of OP’s mark (extending round the nail) does look much more like trauma, caused by the talon. The whole toe is a bit red too.

Original poster
toetoetoe1 · 03/01/2023 14:07

KimberleyClark · 02/01/2023 21:49

If it was chilblains it would be red and very very itchy, driving you up the wall itchy.

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Oh that’s interesting I didn’t know that. It’s definitely not that then, it’s not itchy or uncomfortable in the slightest, I wouldn’t have known it was there had I not randomly noticed it

OP posts:
Original poster
toetoetoe1 · 03/01/2023 14:09

FictionalCharacter · 03/01/2023 03:18

Absolutely correct, and there’s a type of melanoma that appears on the soles of the feet. I’ve only seen pics of them (thanks to a previous job) but they don’t look like this. The shape and location of OP’s mark (extending round the nail) does look much more like trauma, caused by the talon. The whole toe is a bit red too.

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Unfortunately my toe is always red and swollen- the podiatrist said it’s a side effect of wearing ridiculously tight shoes for dancing for years😂 it’s actually not sore or damaged from it thankfully although it just looks very red and puffy all the time!

thats a big relief it doesn’t look like anything sinister! I must have bumped it without even realising 👍

OP posts:
Original poster
toetoetoe1 · 03/01/2023 14:16

So I cut the nail last night (long over due!) and I looked at it again this morning and it seems to have got a little darker and browner (might just be my imagination though), but it will take a week or so for it fully go after cutting the nail won’t it? Just a bit of a worrier sorry! I’ll post a photo of it this morning

WTF is this?
OP posts:
ThreeLittleDots · 03/01/2023 14:25

No, I don't like the look of that. There are some branches of Boots where you can have lesions looked at via ?dermascope for £25, if you want a quick starting point vs GP.

picklemewalnuts · 03/01/2023 14:34

I don't like the look of it, either. It doesn't look like a bruise.

I'd get it checked urgently via your GP. Tell the receptionist there's a family history.

zingally · 03/01/2023 14:52

The weirdly long toenail is being compressed by your socks and shoes constantly, which has caused a bruise in the nail bed.

Original poster
toetoetoe1 · 03/01/2023 15:02

zingally · 03/01/2023 14:52

The weirdly long toenail is being compressed by your socks and shoes constantly, which has caused a bruise in the nail bed.

That’s what I thought at first but the nailbed itself isn’t actually bruised in real life, it’s totally fine, there’s maybe a 2mm space between the nailbed and the mark on the skin 🙁

OP posts:
Original poster
toetoetoe1 · 03/01/2023 15:02

ThreeLittleDots · 03/01/2023 14:25

No, I don't like the look of that. There are some branches of Boots where you can have lesions looked at via ?dermascope for £25, if you want a quick starting point vs GP.

Wow that’s great- thank you very much! I’ll go and check that out now. I’m sure it’s nothing sinister but I suppose with any new mark people naturally panic about it don’t they!

OP posts:
Original poster
toetoetoe1 · 03/01/2023 15:03

picklemewalnuts · 03/01/2023 14:34

I don't like the look of it, either. It doesn't look like a bruise.

I'd get it checked urgently via your GP. Tell the receptionist there's a family history.

Thank you for the advice I absolutely will, they reopen this week so by then I’ll know if it’s got better and likely just a bruise or if it’s not any better x

OP posts:
Original poster
toetoetoe1 · 03/01/2023 15:05

Does anyone know, the fact it’s not painful or itchy or uncomfortable (I literally can’t feel any difference in it vs my other skin) is that a good sign that it’s not likely to be sinister? Also, there was no freckle or mole or mark there before so it’s not as if it’s a freckle or mole that’s changed and become this, is that a good sign too that it didn’t originate from a freckle or mole?

sorry, bit of a worrier!

OP posts:
1FootInTheRave · 03/01/2023 15:11

That needs looking at properly imo.

10HailMarys · 03/01/2023 15:11

toetoetoe1 · 03/01/2023 15:05

Does anyone know, the fact it’s not painful or itchy or uncomfortable (I literally can’t feel any difference in it vs my other skin) is that a good sign that it’s not likely to be sinister? Also, there was no freckle or mole or mark there before so it’s not as if it’s a freckle or mole that’s changed and become this, is that a good sign too that it didn’t originate from a freckle or mole?

sorry, bit of a worrier!

I don't think it's really helping you to be asking Mumsnet about this - it honestly sounds like it's just making you more anxious and nobody here can diagnose you from a photograph. It looks to me like a tiny little pressure mark where your shoes have pressed against your toenail and caused a bit of fluid to collect under the skin, and therefore nothing to worry about. But you really would be best to get it looked at. You'll get lots of conflicting advice on here.

WineAndDontDine · 03/01/2023 15:15

toetoetoe1 · 03/01/2023 15:05

Does anyone know, the fact it’s not painful or itchy or uncomfortable (I literally can’t feel any difference in it vs my other skin) is that a good sign that it’s not likely to be sinister? Also, there was no freckle or mole or mark there before so it’s not as if it’s a freckle or mole that’s changed and become this, is that a good sign too that it didn’t originate from a freckle or mole?

sorry, bit of a worrier!

I think PP is right. This is probably making you more anxious. If you can get it checked today or tomorrow you will feel much better. However, the fact it doesn't itch or feel painful does not make a difference.

WineAndDontDine · 03/01/2023 15:16

Also, the fact there was no mole or freckle etc also doesn't make a difference. Skin cancer can come from no where.

AriettyHomily · 03/01/2023 15:33

Get it looked at, but you need to cut it more!!

Original poster
toetoetoe1 · 03/01/2023 18:15

I know it probably doesn’t sound like it, but posting here genuinely has helped put my mind at ease a bit- I hadn’t even considered that it could be a bruise from my weirdly (🤣) long toenail and it genuinely has helped me be less worried being able to rationalise it all on here, or else I would just be worrying about it in my head!

I tried to book a boots appointment but there’s nothing nearby me available to book and the diary won’t go any further unfortunately but thanks anyway 😞 I’ll see if I can get booked in at the GP once they reopen this week👍

OP posts:
Original poster
toetoetoe1 · 03/01/2023 18:16

10HailMarys · 03/01/2023 15:11

I don't think it's really helping you to be asking Mumsnet about this - it honestly sounds like it's just making you more anxious and nobody here can diagnose you from a photograph. It looks to me like a tiny little pressure mark where your shoes have pressed against your toenail and caused a bit of fluid to collect under the skin, and therefore nothing to worry about. But you really would be best to get it looked at. You'll get lots of conflicting advice on here.

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I hadn’t actually thought about fluid but I’m going to pop a sterile pin in it and see if anything comes out- maybe I should move this post to sporners haha

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 03/01/2023 18:20

Don’t start pocking it with pins. Book an appointment as soon as your GP re-opens. Mine is open as normal again from today. Let us know

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