Actinic Keratosis: How To Identify And Treat One

Actinic keratosis is a kind of pathologic condition that is identified by patches or bumps that are usually flat and raised, scaly, thick, or crusty. Other terms used to point to this condition are senile keratosis and solar keratosis. Besides from the term sun spot, another popular term for this is precancerous spot. The shortened term for this is “AK.” From the size of a pinhead up to more than once inch across, its sizes can vary. It can be seen as light or dark, or any of red, tan and pink.

Touching the actinic keratosis can confirm its development rather than merely seeing it. The crust or the scale that becomes evident is normally, dry, rough and resembles a horn. A persistent sharp pain can be sensed most of the time. An individual can experience itchiness most especially after being exposed in the sun. Many actinic keratoses have the tendency to exhibit in groups in body parts that are exposed to the sun always. Most common areas are backs of hands, lips, face, ears, neck, foreams, and scalp that is bald.

Considering that it may be a sign of development of skin cancer, this condition is said to be dangerous. Skin cancer is usually not threatening to one’s life as long as this is detected right away and treated right before it develops. The infection may be worsened as the surrounding tissues are invaded if there will be no medical attention given.

Damage coming from the sun to the skin can be summed up over time. Ultraviolet rays can be acquired as they bounce off reflective surfaces. Those who have fair skins are most likely to have this kind of skin condition. Likewise, People who have red or blonde hair, and those who have blue, green, or gray eyes are responsive to this condition. This is so because they have lesser pigments that protect their skins that are repulsive to sunburn. As long as there is high exposure to the sun, this condition is possible even for those who are dark-skinned.

Actinic keratosis can be removed via different treatments. Nonetheless, removal of all actinic keratoses is not always necessary. One of the most utilized treatment for this is cryosurgery. By means of liquid nitrogen application, lesions are frozen off. Utilized here is an applicator with a cottop tip or a special spray device.

If there are many lesions, an effective treatment is through applying keratosis removal cream. Chemical peels and curettage are other ways that can be thought of for the treatment.

For more information about this skin condition, it is recommended that you seek for assistance from dermatologists.