ok thanks ladies. My GP is a bit rubbish but can usually be gently nudged towards the treatment or referral I want so I'll just ask for it to be removed. It's on the top of his ear and as well as looking unsightly and causing him pain, his ears protrude a bit so if he wears a baseball cap they stick out and hence it gets the sun. I'm trying to remind him to wear a wide brimmed hat all the time but he likes to look a bit trendy and is fighting me on this