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Worried - waiting for urgent dermatology appointment

MissMarigold
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Hey,

I went to the docs yesterday with a "thing" on my finger tip. It started in November and I thought it was a blood blister but didn't go, then I thought maybe a wart of some kind. It's occasionally painful and sometimes my finger has pins and needles but not constant. It's around the size of a large pin head and perfectly round. 


I went to see the GP to see if I could get some cream or something from the pharmacy. Anyway, I now have an urgent referral to dermatology for Monday. I've been through this before a few years ago for a bleeding mole on my face that turned out to be nothing but as much as I'm trying to tell myself it's likely the same scenario now, I did fall into the google black hole last night and before I knew it I was having my finger amputated amongst other things...

I'm hoping that at my appointment on Monday they will remove whatever is there, is there a possibility they will do this? If so, has anybody had similar on their fingers? I'll be driving to and from the appointment alone and want to make sure that's suitable. 

Thank you

x
 

 

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    Hi,

    I can't say I've ever heard of a melanoma on the tip of the finger - it's very rare to get it on fingers. The fact it appeared recently is good because, if it is dodgy, you've caught it quickly. 

    Hopefully they will say it's not what you fear. It's not common for a removal to be done at the referral - it depends on the size, location, facilities and staff available. They usually go back as a day patient for removal under a local anaesthetic. If they do manage to do it on the day I doubt you would be advised to drive straight afterwards because of your finger being numb and the risk of bleeding.

    Stop searching Dr Google, it only fuels anxiety. You don't have long to wait to see the dermatologist so try not to worry until you know what it is. Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Thank you Angie.
     

    I know dr google was a bad idea, to make things worse I also got a 2ww referral for breast screening during the same appointment (dr asked about general health and things went from there... I'm hoping he's just being overly cautious on both parts!). I thought the removal, if needed, would probably be at a later date as I needed to do this for my mole on my face, but that was done by a specialist surgeon because of the location/scarring. My results took about 3 months last time, so I'm hoping if there is a removal done it's quicker this time as that 3 months felt like 3 years!

    I've read some of the other posts on here today, I just want to thank you for being so lovely and kind to everyone and taking the time to reply :happy:

    I will come back with updates when I know more. 
    x

  • Offline in reply to MissMarigold

    Thank you for your kind words. I'm sorry to hear you are really going through the mill. Hopefully this will be sorted out quickly.

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Hi Angie,

    I had my appointment today. She doesn't think it's sinister, but can't say for definite. She treated it with cryotherapy and gave me a steroid cream but I'll go back in six weeks for her to check it again. If it's not gone by then it will need a biopsy as cryotherapy should get rid of it if it's a blister or something else. x

  • Offline in reply to MissMarigold

    I hope it's sorted it out and you don't need a referral. Please let us know if anything changes x

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