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Monday, November 23, 2009
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Actinic keratosis

Actinic keratosis - close-up
Actinic keratosis - close-up
Actinic keratosis - ear
Actinic keratosis - ear
Actinic keratosis on the arm
Actinic keratosis on the arm
Actinic keratosis on the forearms
Actinic keratosis on the forearms
Actinic keratosis on the scalp
Actinic keratosis on the scalp
Alternative Names

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


Treatment

Because actinic keratoses are precancerous changes, have them examined promptly. Follow your health care provider's advice for treatment.

Growths may be removed by:

  • Burning (electrical cautery)
  • Freezing (cryotherapy)
  • Surgery

Growths may also be treated with medications that cause the skin to peel or come off. More recently, lasers and other light sources have been used to treat actinic keratoses.

Creams such as 5-fluorouracil and imiquimod are used for people who have many lesions. These creams usually cause irritation and redness.


Support Groups


Expectations (prognosis)

Actinic keratosis itself is benign, but it may develop into skin cancer. If left untreated, approximately 1% of actinic keratoses develop into squamous cell carcinoma.

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: 10/11/2008
Reviewed By: 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.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).
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