Hard sensitive spot under my two year old’s toe

[Leighdobsss]

Can anyone help me diagnose this underneath my 2 year olds toe? I’ve taken him to the doctor who said it was a blister but I’m not convinced. It’s been there a few months now, it’s hard to touch and he doesn’t like it if I touch it so it must be sensitive. He’s walking and running fine, no signs of infection or break in the skin.

Can't see a picture if you added one, but about 4 days after DS3 was born I stepped on a shard of glass at home which I couldn't remove from my foot myself. Having a newborn, and with it being still during covid restrictions I could not be arsed with the hassle of going to A&E to have it removed so I just tried not to step on it and skin grew over it, so it formed a sort of hard blister similar to how you describe. I thought it would work its way out but it didn't.

(Apologies the next paragraph is TMI, skip if squeamish).

I got fed up of it eventually and dug around it on and off with a needle - eventually about 2 years later I did finally find and remove it, but loads of hard scar tissue had formed around it in the meantime, I kept digging that out thinking it was the glass, but it wasn't. It stopped hurting when I walked fairly quickly, but every now and again it would bother me especially if I pressed the spot, and I suspect that partially I was adjusting my gait in order not to put pressure on that part of my foot.

I am NOT recommending home surgery for this especially for a child - it was a really stupid idea and probably had a high risk of infection, although nothing happened in my case.

How long ago did you see the doctor? I would try minor injuries unit if you have one, and explain how long it's been there. If it was just a blister it wouldn't last for months.

looking at your photo his other toes are very scrunched, if they’re like this a lot it’s likely to be his skin rubbing together. Try more barefoot time and even wearing crocs for a bit as you’ll get the air to his toes and they are slightly textured so may encourage the toes out of the scrunched position