Information From Your Health Care Provider

KERATOSIS, ACTINIC

Basic information

description

Actinic keratosis (AK; also called solar keratosis) is an area of sun-damaged skin. It is the most common sun-related skin growth. It is considered a precancerous condition. Actinic keratosis are more common in adults over age 50 and occur in men more than women.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Rough, dry, scaly lesions (patches) on exposed areas of the skin (such as the scalp, face, ears, lips, arms, and hands).
They have an irregular shape and can be flat or slightly raised. Can range in size from a pinhead to larger than a quarter. May grow into a horn-like appearance.
There may be single or multiple lesions.
Color can be pink to red, brown, or skin colored.
They are usually painless, but may sometimes itch or have a tender sensation.

causes

Prolonged exposure to the sun's radiation is the most common cause. It may develop years after the person's most intense sun exposure.
Exposure to tanning devices, or rarely, to x-rays or certain industrial chemicals may be a cause.

risk increases with

Outdoor athletic activities and sports.
Outdoor occupations, such as farming.
Ages over 50 and men more than women.
Light (fair) complexion and blue, gray, or green eyes.
Weak immune system due to illness or drugs.
Living at higher elevations.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Protect yourself against direct sun exposure. When outdoors, wear a hat and protective clothing. Use sunscreen lotions and creams with SPF ratings of 15 or more. Avoid sun between 10 AM and 4 PM if possible.
Do skin self-exams on a regular basis (each month).

expected outcomes

There are several types of effective treatment, and outcome is usually excellent. New outbreaks do sometimes occur following treatment.

possible complications

Skin damage.
Some risk of skin cancer if untreated. This is usually squamous cell carcinoma, which is curable when treated early.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

Your health care provider can diagnose the condition by an exam of the skin. A skin biopsy may be done. This involves removing a sample of skin tissue for viewing under a microscope.
Several treatment options are available. Your health care provider will discuss which one will work best for you, depending on the extent of the condition, your health, and your age.
Cryosurgery (the most common treatment) is the application of liquid nitrogen to the skin.
Curettage is the scraping away of the lesions with a sharp instrument.
Excisional (cutting) surgery removes the lesions.
Laser surgery may be used to destroy the cells.
Dermabrasion is a treatment where the top layers of the skin are ground away.
Photodynamic therapy. Medicine is applied to the affected skin, and then it is exposed to a special light.
Chemical peels may be used for facial lesions.
Get follow-up skin checkups every 6 months (or as advised) to ensure early detection and treatment of skin cancers.

medications

There are different topical drugs used for treating AK lesions. Treatment time will vary and can take 2 to 12 weeks. Each drug has risks and benefits that your health care provider will discuss with you.

activity

No limits. Reduce direct sun exposure.

diet

No special diet.

notify our office if

You or a family member has signs of actinic keratosis. Even though this causes no symptoms, it can be a risk for cancer.
Any new or unexpected symptoms develop during treatment with drugs or after a treatment procedure.