Solar keratosis; Sun-induced skin changes - keratosis; Keratosis - actinic (solar)
Prevention
Reduce sun exposure and protect your skin from the sun:
- Wear protective clothing such as hats, long-sleeved shirts, long skirts, or pants.
- Try to avoid sun exposure during midday, when ultraviolet light is most intense.
- Use high-quality sunscreens, preferably with a sun protection factor (SPF) rating of at least 15. Pick a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB light.
- Apply sunscreen before going out into the sun, and reapply often.
- Use sunscreen year-round, including in the winter.
- Avoid sun lamps, tanning beds, and tanning salons.
Other important sun safety facts to keep in mind:
- Sun exposure is stronger in or near surfaces that reflect light, such as water, sand, concrete, and areas painted white.
- Sun exposure is more intense at the beginning of the summer.
- Skin burns faster at higher altitudes.
References
Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2009:pp 812-818.
Ibrahim SF, Brown MD. Actinic keratoses. In: Lebwohl M, ed. Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009.
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Review Date: 10/08/2010
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of
Medicine. Also 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)
