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Original poster

Anyone know what this could be on my scalp?

20 replies

Elll29 · 15/02/2021 00:29

Hi, I noticed a small spot/ rough patch about 6 weeks ago that’s gradually getting bigger it’s like a yellowish skin colour no pain or anything. It’s just at my hairline. Hard to get a doctors appointment just now.

Anyone know what this could be on my scalp?
OP posts:
FortunesFave · 15/02/2021 02:05

It looks a bit like psoriasis OP....but only one patch so could be something else entirely...Google that and see what you think.

DramaAlpaca · 15/02/2021 02:20

I'm not a doctor but it might be an actinic keratosis which is a scaly patch of skin caused by sun damage. They aren't usually serious but you do need to get it checked by your GP to be sure. I've had a couple on my scalp too and they are harmless so try not to worry,

Original poster
Elll29 · 15/02/2021 07:29

Thanks for the replies I’m going to see if I can get an appointment as it is getting bigger which is worrying.

OP posts:
Original poster
Elll29 · 15/02/2021 17:22

I sent a picture to the nurse she didn’t seem bothered? Just gave me some shampoo not really satisfied with it not being checked Sad

OP posts:
SpudsandGravy · 15/02/2021 17:50

Hi OP. Definitely ask that a doctor looks at the picture, and ideally one with a specialism in dermatology. These things can be something or nothing.

I had what I thought was just an abrasion from wearing headphones on the side of my face for about 5 years, and have now had two operations to try to remove it because it turned out to be an infiltrating BCC. My GP looked at photos and referred me to the local Dermatology department.

Original poster
Elll29 · 15/02/2021 18:30

@SpudsandGravy it’s so hard to get a doctor at my surgery just now ☹️. I noticed it just before Xmas. I’m thinking of going to a private consultant as in general I have bad health anxiety. I really don’t know what it could be.

Anyone know what this could be on my scalp?
OP posts:
Tanfastic · 15/02/2021 19:30

I've got one of these in a similar position, I've never even really thought about it tbh. Just assumed it was a freckle or some description

SpudsandGravy · 15/02/2021 19:39

Hi OP,

Can you not get a telephone consultation? With mine, in fact, they have a process already in place for sending photos of things like this which they refer to the GP who has some knowledge of dermatology. I'm not sure we actually needed to speak.

Try not to worry as almost certainly it won't be anything. However, I do still feel that you should get a doctor to take a look at it, because in the unlikely event that it is something (e.g. a BCC, as mine was, or something more serious) then it will need to come off. Better safe than sorry Thanks

Original poster
Elll29 · 15/02/2021 20:04

@Tanfastic really? How long have you had it for and does it feel slightly raised?

@SpudsandGravy ye my surgery has an email address and told me to send a picture which I did but only the nurse looked at it and called me to say she didn’t think it was much to worry about. So I don’t know if I should call back and say I’m not happy and want an actual appointment or if I’m just being paranoid as I do suffer bad anxiety.

OP posts:
Tanfastic · 15/02/2021 21:02

[quote Elll29]@Tanfastic really? How long have you had it for and does it feel slightly raised?

@SpudsandGravy ye my surgery has an email address and told me to send a picture which I did but only the nurse looked at it and called me to say she didn’t think it was much to worry about. So I don’t know if I should call back and say I’m not happy and want an actual appointment or if I’m just being paranoid as I do suffer bad anxiety.[/quote]
Yes it is slightly raises. I think it's one of those Seborrheic keratoses things. It's been there years. I don't worry about it.

TheRealMrsJamieFraser · 15/02/2021 21:07

In the kindest way, what do you an appointment it - if it isn't looking at the photo, assessing it and then talking to you about it? This is an appointment. If they get it needed assessing face to face they would tell you.
If your concern is that it's a nurse as opposed to a doctor, there are many levels of nurse and many are more than qualified to assess this. It could even be that the nurse did discuss with a GP and then talked to you about it.
I would try not to worry which I know is easier said than done

SpudsandGravy · 16/02/2021 15:21

@TheRealMrsJamieFraser

In the kindest way, what do you an appointment it - if it isn't looking at the photo, assessing it and then talking to you about it? This is an appointment. If they get it needed assessing face to face they would tell you. If your concern is that it's a nurse as opposed to a doctor, there are many levels of nurse and many are more than qualified to assess this. It could even be that the nurse did discuss with a GP and then talked to you about it. I would try not to worry which I know is easier said than done

With respect, I don't agree with that. Even many doctors find interpreting these dermatological issues challenging. I have plenty of respect for nurses, but they are not qualified to look at a photo and know whether there should be a referral to a dermatologist.

Literallyfedup · 16/02/2021 21:12

If the nurse gave you nizoral then it might be worth a try as sometimes these patches are just fungal infection. If it does not go away after treatment for 2 weeks then ask for a repeat consult.

espressoontap · 16/02/2021 21:19

I had a mark like this on my boob. GP thought it was fungal - three days of miconazole cream cleared it right up.

TheRealMrsJamieFraser · 16/02/2021 21:26

With equal respect @SpudsandGravy - some nurses most definitely are qualified to diagnose something such as this. Not all, but some.
And a clinician who was unsure of a diagnosis from a photo would confirm it by asking for a face to face.

Eeve · 17/02/2021 19:02

I mean this in the kindest way, but I absolutely think this is a manifestation of you Heath anxiety. Please don't spend money on a private consultation. Are you seeing a psychologist for your HA?

Original poster
Elll29 · 22/02/2021 10:43

Hi all, thanks for the comments (some cheeky non the less) I have been told by the doctor it is a seborrhoeic keratoses she did want to try a cream on it but I’m 29 weeks pregnant and she said there are slight chances of it going into my blood stream so to wait until I’ve had the baby. It’s right in line with my glasses so it is getting irritated.

OP posts:
DramaAlpaca · 22/02/2021 11:32

Thanks for coming back OP - I was almost right with my keyboard diagnosis! Grin Seborrhoeic keratosis is similar to actinic keratosis.The cream you've been given will be a steroid cream, so definitely best left until you've had your baby.

123gozane · 07/02/2026 03:10

I have the same thing. It is acentenic keratosis. It's not malignant but if left alone to long it can turn into Squamous cell cancer.

123gozane · 07/02/2026 03:12

This looks like Acetnic keratosis. I have the same thing. If left to long it will turn into Squamous cell cancer so go get checked when you can.

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