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Actinic keratosis - Symptom

Alternative Names

Solar keratosis; Sun-induced skin changes - keratosis; Keratosis - actinic (solar)

Symptoms:

Rough and dry skin lesion
Patch or growth on the skin
- Limited to one area (localized)
- Located on the face, scalp, back of the hands, chest, or other sun-exposed areas
- Gray, pink, red (erythematous), or the same color as the skin
- Begins as flat and scaly areas
- Later develops a hard and wart-like or gritty, rough, and "sandpapery" surface -- may develop a horn-like texture

The skin lesion may be easier to feel than to see.

Signs and tests:

The health care provider makes the diagnosis based on the appearance of the skin growth. A skin biopsy may reveal any cancerous changes, if they occur.

Actinic keratosis on the arm

Actinic keratosis - close-up

Actinic keratosis on the forearms

Actinic keratosis on the scalp

Actinic keratosis - ear

Reviewed last on: 10/11/2008
Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

de Berker D, McGregor JM, Hughes BR. Guidelines for the management of actinic keratoses. Br J Dermatol. 2007;156:222-230.

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