Just after I'd phoned the dental surgery at 9am, only to find that my dentist was now on holiday but that another dentist would replace the temporary crown tomorrow morning, I received a text from my doctor. 

The text informed me that the dermatologists at the hospital have advised that my skin lesion is an actinic keratosis due to sun damage, and a prescription has been sent to Boots for Efudix. Do not look at the images if you are of a nervous disposition. 

No real surprise, given my fair skin, pre-suncream childhood and my sun-worshipping twenties! It's a shock though and I'm not looking forward to either the treatment or the recovery... but perhaps it won't be as bad as I fear?

What is slightly concerning is that I asked a GP to look at a patch of skin during the first lockdown but he just said to keep an eye on it. A few weeks ago I asked the blood pressure nurse to have a look, she took a photo and sent it to the doctor, which I'm sure I've done before, who forwarded it to the dermatology department. I know they're all busy with Covid related matters but it's a  bit odd not to actually see a specialist before you're prescribed strong drugs!

I've got to apply the cream twice a day for three weeks and I'm not looking forward to it. I remember that my friend Brian had the same cream and he wouldn't see me at all while his face was a mess. On a brighter note, I may wear a mask more often, let's see.

Edit: I'm not one for selfies but the extra is for the record, after the first application of cream. Good grief I don't half look like my mother!