Could there be a medical reason for the stain on my finger?

May 28, 2019 9:26 AM

I have a stain on my index finger which looks like a nicotine stain, but isn't. Should I be worried?

I have a stain on the pad of my index finger which looks a lot like the nicotine stains I used to get when I smoked years ago.

I don't smoke any more, I don't read newspapers or many books, I don't touch coffee/tea and haven't been touching any plants, as far as I'm aware. Haven't injured my finger at all.

It's been there for weeks and hasn't washed off.

The stain is brownish looking and when you look at it closely it looks like black, brown and maybe red dots under the skin.

Part of me thinks it isn't a stain at all but some kind of medical condition, is there even any medical reason that could be causing this? Or is that outlandish thinking?

posted by iamsuper to Health & Fitness (3 answers total)

Not outlandish thinking at all. It could be anything from a mild fungal infection to skin cancer. Definitely go to a dermatologist and get it checked out, if only for your peace of mind.
posted by showbiz_liz at 10:09 AM on May 28, 2019 [5 favorites]

A photo would help, could you take one and upload it to Imgur or a similar site?
posted by nouvelle-personne at 10:09 AM on May 28, 2019

It sounds like a minor blood blister to me, they're real easy to get after injuries that are quick and mild, the kind of thing you only notice later and are like wtf.

But definitely get it checked out if it doesn't fade in a couple days. Bob Marley died from a freckle on his toe. Better safe than sorry.
posted by phunniemee at 3:41 PM on May 28, 2019