Other topical treatments include imiquimod (Aldara, Zyclara) and ingenol mebutate (Picato). If you find a spot or growth on your skin that you think could be an actinic keratosis (AK), its time for a thorough skin exam. If you have one or more AKs on your skin, a board-certified dermatologist can often diagnose you by looking carefully at your skin. Sometimes people will say, I just have this dry skin that wont get better, Ferris said. After a brief incubation period, the target skin is exposed to light from a laser or other source. Marques E, et al. But theres one exception to this: a rare type of actinic keratosis called a cutaneous horn, which resembles a tiny curved horn coming out of your face. Weber A, et al. AK is primarily caused by long-term exposure to sunlight. Sometimes actinic keratosis may occur on ears, scalp, chest, hands and lips. In some cases, a hard, wartlike surface. The lesion seemly came off all at once, save for that teensy part of it. As your skin heals, the damaged cells slough off, allowing new skin to appear. Lebwohl M. Actinic keratosis. Image Source: 2007 Interactive Medical Media LLC. The deeper region of the epidermis comprises of melanocytes, producing melanin for pigmentation of the skin. Its also known as asolar keratosis. They are essentially very thin skin cancers that have not yet penetrated into deeper tissues. Actinic keratoses are very common on sites repeatedly exposed to the sun, especially the backs of the hands and the face, most often affecting the ears, nose, cheeks, upper lip, vermilion of the lower lip, temples, forehead, and balding scalp. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. There might be itching or burning in the affected area. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008: 1007-15. Seborrheic Keratosis. This image displays a large actinic keratosis with a yellowish crust. adminsos 25th January 2012. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. The sun constantly releases UV radiation, which, like most forms of radiation, isnt great for your skin. Other risk factors for actinic keratosis include: Actinic keratosis is a precancer, meaning that it can serve as a warning sign for future skin cancer. Seborrheic means greasy and keratosis means thickening of the skin. Later, they may become hard and wart-like or gritty and . Actinic keratoses on your mouth can resemble chapped lips that never seem to heal. Mayo Clinic. Causes of actinic keratosis. Most patients with AKs need 2 PDT treatments, with the second treatment given 3 weeks after the first. You may also develop skin cancer. 2016; doi:10.1001/jama.2016.3065. After treatment, the skin will feel raw and sore. If skin cancer develops, the sooner it is found and treated, the better your outcome. RM 2JC4JD2 - Man, 71, patient, head, bald, face, with light damage, actinic keratosis, six days after photodynamic therapy (PDT), laser treatment, lasered, Ameluz. The color of actinic keratosis will depend on your skin tone and may look pink, red, dark tan, white, or the color of your skin. These spots take the form of rough bumps with a scaly or flaky texture. Normally, it takes 2 days for the 0.05% gel to show positive results, whereas the 0.015% gel requires minimum 3 days for complete treatment of the condition. 9th ed. Dermatology, pp.1676-1693. Nonmelanoma skin cancers form in the outer layers of your skin. An actinic keratosis sometimes disappears on its own but might return after more sun exposure. AskMayoExpert. Or it may be the same color as the skin. Over time, the lesions can disappear, enlarge, remain the same, or develop into SCC. The skin becomes tender when multiple lesions develop within a single area, causing more discomfort and agony. (2021). Actinic keratosis. Affected individuals can use gels containing 0.05% or 0.015% of the substance on trunk, upper extremities, face and scalp. Topical pharmacotherapy for skin cancer: part 2: Clinical applications, J Am Acad Dermatol 2014;70:979.e1-12. Then, theyll expose your skin to blue light, which activates the chemical agent to remove the lesions. Martin G, Swanson N. Clinical findings using ingenol mebutate gel to treat actinic keratoses. J Am Acad Dermatol 2013;68:S39-48. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. A few basic tips to prevent actinic keratosis include: Buy quality sunscreen: Look for sunscreen with broad-spectrum UV protection and an SPF of 30 or higher. With this condition, you develop scaly, discolored spots called actinic keratoses. Actinic keratosis can sometimes turn cancerous, so its important to monitor and treat these spots when you find them. Cryotherapy, also called cryosurgery, is a type of treatment in which the lesion is sprayed with a cryosurgery solution, such as liquid nitrogen. New York: Mosby, 2003. Actinic keratosis is also known as AK and solar keratosis. Imiquimod cream: This can be a good option for the face because you can apply it once (or twice) a week, so you dont get lots of redness and crusting. This image displays actinic keratosis of the legs. You want to apply this ointment carefully. Actinic keratosis develops slowly. According to the AAD, a dermatologist can treat actinic keratosis with: Or, your dermatologist can prescribe a medication that you apply to your skin at home. McGraw Hill; 2019. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Several different kinds of actinic keratosis treatment exist. Actinic keratosis growths can also be tan, pink, red or any combination of these colors. With your arms raised, inspect both sides of your body making sure to examine your underarms. The other dermatologic manifestations such as yellowish skin and wrinkles associated with increased UV exposure can be seen alongside the lesions. Some manufacturers make specialty clothing with a high sun protection factor (SPF) rating, or you can purchase a special ingredient to be added to your washer that can wash SPF into your clothing. Topical pharmacotherapy for skin cancer: part I. Pharmacology. J Am Acad Dermatol. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, sun exposure is a major factor in the development of actinic keratosis. Risk Factors for Actinic Keratosis. A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating the skin, hair, and nails. Neugebauer R, Levandoski KA, et al. As you perform your monthly self-exam, familiarize yourself with the moles, freckles, and other marks on your body, and look for any changes in them from month to month, including shape, size, color, or other changes, such as bleeding or itching. To be effective, treatment must destroy the AKs. ", If you suspect you might have actinic keratosis, see your dermatologist. We see [actinic keratoses] more frequently on chronically sun-exposed areas like the face, forearms and the backs of the hands, said Dr. Laura Ferris. Should you have an AK, an accurate diagnosis and treatment can: Reduce your risk of developing skin cancer, Get rid of an AK, replacing it with new, healthy-looking skin, Help ease symptoms, such as itch, pain, or tenderness. Actinic keratosis: Overview. Fitzpatricks Dermatology in General Medicine (seventh edition). Your body can heal some of the damage from the suns rays, but the effects of radiation accumulate with every exposure. Symptom checkers like Aysa can help narrow down possible skin conditions by analyzing a skin photo. Mayo Clinic; 2020. Rubbed gently onto the lesions once or twice a day for two to four weeks, 5-FU reportedly produces cure rates of up to 93 percent. Stay in the shade, particularly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher daily, Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher if youre going to be out in the sun for an extended time. As the area heals, you will see new healthy skin. Commercial tanning lamps as well as beds form the potential source for solar damage besides sunlight. Epithelial precancerous lesions. In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, et al. There are several, It's not just the ingredients. A variety of treatment approaches are available for remission of lesions. https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/UnderstandingOver-the-CounterMedicines/ucm239463.htm. Bolognia, Jean L., ed. Read on to know all about this disorder, including its causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. (2012). At-home treatment is often recommended for patients who have several AKs. Evaluation of long-term clearance rates of interventions for actinic keratosis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. This means that if you already have an AK, you are likely to develop . It can help treat skin cancer, prostate cancer, and more. Look for the development of new skin growths or any changes in all existing: Make sure to check for new skin growths or changes in these places: Schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible if you have any worrisome spots on your skin. The best way to prevent AK is to reduce your exposure to sunlight. The lesson learned here is just because a freezing chemical spray can cause a skin lesion to fall off, doesn't mean that there should necessarily be any dramatic changes in appearance (as there often is with actinic keratoses). Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Keratosis On The Scalp. To effectively treat the AKs, your dermatologist may prescribe both a procedure and medication that you apply at home. Avoid direct sun in the middle of the day (10 AM to 3 PM). Find out what may be causing the itch and what can bring relief. Last medically reviewed on December 5, 2022. The growths may be gray, pink, red, or the same color as your skin. Current issues in the management of actinic keratosis. J Am Acad Dermatol 2013;68:S28-38. If you want to diminish a noticeable scar, know these 10 things before having laser treatment. Using this approach can reduce your risk of developing new AKs and possibly skin cancer. Anyone can develop these lesions, but youre more likely to develop them if youve had a lot of unprotected sun exposure. People with fair skin are more likely to develop actinic keratoses on sun-exposed areas like the face, arms, hands, back of the neck, and upper chest. Actinic keratoses usually develop in areas thatve been damaged by years of sun exposure. You may need to apply it for 12 to 16 weeks. Depending on the size of the incision, stitches may or may not be needed. CSANZ 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting, Brisbane: video highlights ESC 2017 Congress, Barcelona: video highlights ESC 2019 Congress, Paris: video highlights Symptoms include: Rough, dry or scaly patch of skin, usually less than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter. 5 facts you should know about precancerous skin growths. So in my case, it took four weeks on the dot. It can smooth out deep wrinkles and lines, but the results arent permanent. These dry skin patches usually appear red, dark, light, pink, or a combination of all these, with a white or yellowish scale on top. Answer C is an essential feature of actinic keratosis as it has well established its link in the development of squamous cell carcinoma either in the classical or differentiated pathways. Rarely, it can spread to the dorsa of the . 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Actinic keratosis is a chronic dermatological disorder, which can easily progress to invasive carcinoma of the skin. It tends to lie flat against the skin of the head and neck, but appears as a bump on arms and hands. When you treat at home, you apply medication to your skin as directed. skin keratosis. Treatment for AKs can get rid of AKs as well as reduce signs of aging on Actinic keratosis is an erythematous scaly papule or plaque that develops on sun-damaged skin as a result of chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation, typically in elderly patients with lighter skin types.