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Actinic keratosis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

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

Treatment:

Because actinic keratoses represent precancerous changes, you should have them examined promptly and follow the health care provider's advice for treatment.

Growths may be removed by cryotherapy (freezing), electrical cautery (burning), or surgery. Growths may also be treated with medications that cause skin peeling or removal. More recently, lasers and other light sources have been used to treat actinic keratoses.

Expectations (prognosis):

Actinic keratosis itself is benign , but it may develop into skin cancer . Removal of the growth is usually effective.

Complications:

• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Irritation and discomfort of the skin growth

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if areas of persistent roughness or scaliness develop in sun-exposed skin.

• Review Date: 10/17/2006
• Reviewed By: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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