When the skin has too much keratin, it can lead to keratosis. Keratin makes up the hair and nails of humans. When it is produced out of proportion, skin problems like keratosis can occur. There are many types of keratoses, each varying in nature and causes.

Actinic Keratosis
Actinic keratosis also goes by the term solar keratosis and senile keratosis. This skin condition often happen to elder people, and to people who get too much sun exposure, thus the names senile or solar keratosis. Actinic Keratosis is a premalignant skin condition and these precancerous skin lesions sometimes lead to squamous cell carcinoma. The main attributes of actinic keratosis is its thick, crusty and scaly bumps appearing on the parts of the body exposed mostly to the sun. Actinic keratosis must be removed at once to prevent it to developing into cancer.

Actinic Keratosis Treatments
The good news is that there is a wide range of cure available for actinic keratosis. It could be surgical or non surgical. Surgical treatments include laser, electrocautery or cryotherapy. These kinds of surgery are recommended for severe cases. Non surgical treatments involve the application of creams.

Aldara and Beselna are common imiquimod creams. It’s under the immune response modifier type of drugs. However, the cream requires a prescription, and also the commitment and endurance on the part of the patient. The side effects of using this cream are pains and discomforts. But the result after the treatment is satisfying.

5-flourouracil is an anti cancer drug, and Fluoroplex is a brand name for it. It is commonly used for chemotherapy but it performs for actinic keratosis as well. It is a topical cream, applied on the skin by the patient. Side effects include inflammation, itchiness, and pain on the area where the cream is applied. Discoloration of skin and scarring are the other side effects of using Efudex. The good thing is that it only occurs on the track of the treatment. Before using Efudex, one must disclose to his or her doctor the drugs you are taking. Pregnant or breast feeding women are not advised to take Fluorouracil. While using Efudex, you must prevent sun exposure and use sunscreen.
Before undergoing any treatment, be sure you have consulted a doctor or a dermatologist.

Seborrheic Keratosis
Seborrheic keratosis is just like actinic keratosis, the main difference is its greasiness. An SK is also not as hazardous as an AK since it is noncancerous. Keratinocytes on the upper layer of the epidermis are responsible for this. The appearance of seborrheic keratosis contributes to its name “barnacles of old age”. The main reason it occurs is still unknown.

Seborrheic Keratosis Treatments
Treatments for seborrheic keratosis include cryosurgery and electrocautery. Electodessication and curettage is used for instances that are big enough. A scalpel is used in place of a curette in a process called surgical excision.

If you already have these skin afflictions cured, then you must take care of your skin in future. You won’t want keratoses to come back, do you? You should always see a doctor who will advise the best form of keratosis treatment for you.

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.