How can you tell the difference between actinic keratosis and seborrheic keratosis?

Actinic keratoses can bleed easily and may take longer to heal. In some cases, the patches may be very sensitive, burn, or itch. Seborrheic keratoses can vary in how they appear. These growths are often rough and feel crumbly in texture, but sometimes can be smooth and waxy.

What does actinic keratosis look like?

AKs often appear as small dry, scaly or crusty patches of skin. They may be red, light or dark tan, white, pink, flesh-toned or a combination of colors and are sometimes raised. Because of their rough texture, actinic keratoses are often easier to feel than see.

How do you rule out seborrheic keratosis?

Your doctor can usually tell whether you have a seborrheic keratosis by looking at the affected skin. If there is a question about the diagnosis, your doctor might recommend removing the growth so that it can be examined under a microscope.

What can actinic keratosis be mistaken for?

The reason that it is best to not self-diagnose is because cancerous lesions such as basal or squamous cell carcinoma, or even deadly melanoma, can be mistaken for actinic keratoses.

Is actinic keratosis raised or flat?

Actinic keratoses vary in appearance. Signs and symptoms include: Rough, dry or scaly patch of skin, usually less than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter. Flat to slightly raised patch or bump on the top layer of skin.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Actinic Keratosis, and Seborrheic Keratosis: a Dermatology Lecture

What does seborrheic keratosis look like?

Seborrheic keratoses are usually brown, black or light tan. The growths (lesions) look waxy or scaly and slightly raised. They appear gradually, usually on the face, neck, chest or back.

Can you scratch off actinic keratosis?

On occasion, an actinic keratosis will disappear on its own, but it will return when the skin is exposed to the sun again. If you scratch a lesion off, it will grow back. If treated early enough, an actinic keratosis can be removed before it becomes cancerous.

How can you tell the difference between actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma?

Actinic keratoses are frequent in areas of maximum sun exposure. Whereas basal cell carcinomas and melanomas occur most frequently on skin areas receiving intermittent severe sun damage, squamous carcinomas occur in areas of the skin receiving maximum lifetime exposure.

Can actinic keratosis be a bump?

Actinic keratosis is a rough, scaly patch or bump on the skin. It's also known as a solar keratosis. Actinic keratoses are very common, and many people have them. They are caused by ultraviolet (UV) damage to the skin.

Can you exfoliate actinic keratosis?

Chemical peels are a noninvasive way to aggressively exfoliate the skin cells that comprise the actinic keratoses. After confirming that you're a good candidate for a chemical peel, your doctor will apply a thin layer of the solution to the lesions.

What happens if you pick off a seborrheic keratosis?

Most seborrheic keratoses do not cause any symptoms and do not require treatment, however, many people are bothered by their cosmetic appearance and want them removed. The growths should not be scratched off. This does not remove the growths and can lead to bleeding and possible secondary infection.

What triggers seborrheic keratosis?

It's not clear what exactly causes seborrheic keratoses. They tend to run in families, so genes may be a cause. Normal skin aging plays a role because the growths are more common with age. Too much sun exposure may also play a role.

What causes seborrheic keratosis to flare up?

Hormonal changes – pregnancy, menopause, and other hormonal shifts will increase the likelihood of developing seborrheic keratoses. Sun exposure – while growths can develop on just about any part of the body, they are the most common in areas that are regularly exposed to sunlight.

Can actinic keratosis be smooth?

The incredible disappearing actinic keratosis: actinic keratosis can be present for days or weeks or even longer then flake off, leaving no sign of the previously damaged skin. The skin could feel smooth, with even color and texture. Often, the AKs will reappear randomly or when the person goes back into the sun.

What is the best way to treat actinic keratosis at home?

Can seborrheic keratosis peel off?

The SK usually falls off within days. Sometimes a blister forms under the SK and dries into a scab-like crust that falls off. After the growth falls off, a small dark or light spot may appear on the skin. This usually fades over time.

What is the fastest way to get rid of actinic keratosis?

Actinic keratoses can be removed by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. Your doctor applies the substance to the affected skin, which causes blistering or peeling. As your skin heals, the damaged cells slough off, allowing new skin to appear. Cryotherapy is the most common treatment.

What causes actinic keratosis to flare up?

What causes actinic keratosis? The most common cause of actinic keratosis is too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light comes from the sun or indoor tanning equipment, such as tanning beds. UV light can damage your outer layer of skin cells, called keratinocytes.

Should actinic keratosis be biopsied?

The diagnosis of actinic keratosis is generally established by clinical examination. However, actinic keratosis can progress into an invasive squamous cell carcinoma, therefore biopsy and histological examination may be needed.

How long does it take for actinic keratosis to become cancerous?

The length of time for an AK to progress to an SCC was determined to be 24.6 months (95% confidence interval, 21.04-28.16 months).

Which is more serious basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma?

Though not as common as basal cell (about one million new cases a year), squamous cell is more serious because it is likely to spread (metastasize). Treated early, the cure rate is over 90%, but metastases occur in 1%–5% of cases. After it has metastasized, it's very difficult to treat.

Is seborrheic keratosis precancerous?

Seborrheic keratosis and melanoma can look similar. However, despite the visual similarity, seborrheic keratosis is not a risk factor for skin cancer or a form of precancer.

Is there an over the counter treatment for seborrheic keratosis?

The FDA has approved hydrogen peroxide 40% topical solution (Eskata – Aclaris Therapeutics) for treatment of raised seborrheic keratoses (SKs) in adults. It is the first drug to be approved for this indication. (Hydrogen peroxide is available over the counter for topical use as a 3% solution.)

What is the best over the counter treatment for actinic keratosis?

Topical imiquimod cream stimulates a local immune response in the skin, leading to destruction of the actinic keratosis cells. It can be applied at home and is typically used two to three times a week for up to 16 weeks, making this a longer course of treatment compared to topical fluorouracil.

What is the best cream for actinic keratosis?

5% fluorouracil cream is the best first-line treatment for actinic keratosis skin lesions. Comparison of four common treatment regimens for actinic keratosis found that twice daily 5% fluorouracil cream was the most effective and least expensive. It was also found to be convenient and well tolerated by patients.