Hi BexLuthOr,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

As an retired HCPC registered Podiatrist, I have seen many of these in my time. This sounds very like a Myxoid Cyst, which was possibly caused by dropping something on your toe, or in combination with Osteoarthritis. The shiny /opaque appearance is pretty typical. These are usually harmless.

Although a biopsy can be used to diagnose them, they can usually be diagnosed by a physical examination. Some of these will shrink and disappear in their own time. They are not usually painful and don't cause any additional symptoms. There are various treatment options to remove them, or drain them, but they often fill up again or return. A Podiatrist should be able to advise you on how to proceed.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine 

Hi Jolamine 

Thank you so much for your response. I appreciate you taking the time to get back in touch. You have helped calm me down a lot!

I actually went to a podiatrist before Christmas (before it popped) and they told me to go to my GP because they thought it was an infected cyst that was deeper in the tissue. After it drained, it went really flat and has now started to fill up again. 

No one has physically examined it yet who is a dermatologist. All I've had is my GP look at it and then photos. I stupidly didn't tell my GP it had popped and liquid had come out. 

I thought a biopsy request was strange but I guess they will examine it during this time as well? 

Apologies for all the questions, I'm just trying to make sense of everything. I really appreciate you taking the time to get back in touch. 

HI BexLuthOr,

A lot of younger people haven't seen these before. I was in practice for 52 years and saw many of them. If your GP had know that you had a gel discharge at some time, this might have prompted him to give a diagnosis. A dermatologist is a specialist in skin conditions, so should be able to diagnose this for you.

I would be very surprised if a biopsy shows up anything untoward. It will flatten down when you squeeze the gel out, although I wouldn't advise you to do this yourself, for fear of introducing infection. As the gel begins to build up again the lesion will get bigger.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

That is very kind thank you for your reassurance. I've done a bit of googling (I know I shouldn't!) But it does look a lot like you've described. It actually looks like a blister on my toe joint. The centre is a little dark but that was the case before it popped last time too. It is also nowhere near as red or full as last time either. 

It is also round, smooth and symmetrical so doesn't fit the traditional ABCDs of skin cancer.

It can feel a little sore if I touch it or catch it on something but it isn't painful. More like if you catch a scab or a burn. 

I'll be sure to mention at my appointment that gel came out of it last time and it went completely flat. I'm hopeful the biopsy is just a precaution as no one has physically examined it yet.

Thank you again for your reassurance, it is certainly very helpful. 

Xxx

Hi BexLuthOr,

The more it builds up, the more pressure it will get from footwear and this will make it slightly tender if you touch it or catch it. As you say, it doesn't fit the ABCD's of skin cancer, so here's hoping!

Don't forget to let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

That's brilliant thank you again for all your advice. Is there any home remedies that could help shrink it or is it a case of leaving it?

I did push down on it before Christmas as I wasn't sure what it was and the only way I can describe the feeling is like when you crack your knuckles, the air bubble popping and it then went a little flatter and filled up again. 

My appointment isn't for another two weeks so I'm going to try and leave it alone and not irritate it (when I touch it, that's when it starts to fill up more). Easier said than done when I have a rowdy puppy jumping on my feet. 

Thank you again for your advice, you have definitely helped!

Becky xxx

Hi Becky,

There is nothing that you can use to safely reduce this lesion. The best thing you can do is to leave well alone. If it gives you a lot of bother later on, see a health care professional to burst it and dress it or see a surgeon, with a view to removing it surgically.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine 

Thank you so much for your advice with this. I've left it alone and tried to wear bigger, wider shoes and it is looking better. I'm trying not to touch it or mess around with it (which is proving v v difficult when all I want to do is get rid of it haha!)

But still no pain, just soreness when I catch it. It's filled up a little more but I think that's more from it being irritated by my shoes. I've noticed a hot bath or warm compress flattens it a bit

I've got my appointment in a week and a half for a biopsy on it so I will have a chat with them then..hopefully the biopsy will drain it and then we can discuss next steps  my fingers are well and truly crossed that it is nothing sinister.

Thank you again

Becky xx

Hi Becky,

Good on you for leaving the lesion alone - I know that the temptation is always there to give it a good squeeze! I am glad to hear that it is looking a bit better when you are wearing roomier shoes - I believe that I forgot to mention that this helps. Tight shoes will only irritate it further. I'm sure that you'll be glad when the next week and a half is up.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx