Actinic Keratosis
As you get older, you may begin to notice rough, scaly spots appearing on your hands, arms, or face. These spots are called actinic keratosis, but they are commonly known as sunspots or age spots.
Actinic Keratosis usually develops in areas that have been damaged by years of sun exposure. They form when you have Actinic Keratosis (AK), which is a very common skin condition.
AK occurs when skin cells called keratinocytes start to grow abnormally, forming scaly, discoloured spots. The skin patches can be any of these colours:
- brown
- tan
- gray
- pink
They tend to appear on the parts of the body that get the most sun exposure, including the following:
- hands
- arms
- face
- scalp
- neck
Actinic Keratosis is not cancerous in itself. However, it can progress to Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), though the likelihood is low.
When they are left untreated, up to 10 per cent of actinic keratoses can progress to SCC. SCC is the second most common type of skin cancer. Due to this risk, the spots should be regularly monitored by your doctor or dermatologist. Here are some pictures of SCC and what changes to look out for.
Key facts
- Actinic keratoses (also called solar keratosis) are dry scaly patches of skin that have been damaged by the sun.
- The patches usually appear on areas of your body that are often exposed to the sun, such as your face, hands and arms, ears, scalp, and legs.
- The condition is not usually serious, but there is a small chance they could become skin cancer, so it is important to avoid further damage to your skin.
- Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 before going out into the sun and reapply regularly.
- Wear a hat and clothing that fully covers your legs and arms when you are out in the sunlight.
- Do not go into the sun between 10 am and 3 pm – this is when the sun is at its strongest.
- Treatments for Actinic Keratosis include: prescription creams and gels, freezing the patches (cryotherapy), and photodynamic therapy (PDT), where special cream is applied to the patches and a light is shone onto them to kill abnormal cells.
Symptoms
Actinic keratoses start out as thick, scaly, crusty skin patches. These patches are usually about the size of a small pencil eraser. There might be itching or burning in the affected area.
Over time, the lesions can disappear, enlarge, remain the same, or develop into Squamous Cell Carcinoma. There is no way of knowing which lesions may become cancerous. However, you should have your spots examined by a doctor promptly if you notice any of the following changes:
- hardening of the lesion
- inflammation
- rapid enlargement
- bleeding
- redness
- ulceration
Diagnosis
Do not panic if there are cancerous changes. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is relatively easy to diagnose and treat in its early stages. Your doctor may be able to diagnose Actinic Keratosis simply by looking at it. They may want to take a skin biopsy of any lesions that look suspicious. A skin biopsy is the only foolproof way to tell if lesions have changed into SCC.
Causes
Actinic Keratosis is primarily caused by long-term exposure to sunlight. You have a higher risk of developing this condition if you:
- are over age 60
- have light-coloured skin and blue eyes
- have a tendency to sunburn easily
- have a history of sunburns earlier in life
- have been frequently exposed to the sun over your lifetime
- have human papillomavirus (HPV)
Prevention
The best way to prevent Actinic Keratosis is to reduce your exposure to sunlight. This will also help minimize your risk of skin cancer. Remember to do the following:
- Wear hats and shirts with long sleeves when you are in bright sunlight.
- Avoid going outside at midday, when the sun is brightest.
- Avoid tanning beds.
- Always use sunscreen when you are outside. It is best to use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) rating of at least 30. It should block both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light.
It is also a good idea to examine your skin regularly. Look for the development of new skin growths or any changes in all existing:
- bumps
- birthmarks
- moles
- freckles
Make sure to check for new skin growths or changes in these places:
- face
- neck
- ears
- the tops and undersides of your arms and hands
Schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible if you have any worrisome spots on your skin.
Actinic Keratosis may be treated in the following ways:
Excision
Excision involves cutting the lesion from the skin. Your doctor may choose to remove extra tissue around or under the lesion if there are concerns about skin cancer. Depending on the size of the incision, stitches may or may not be needed.
Cauterization
In cauterization, the lesion is burned with an electric current. This kills the affected skin cells.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy, also called cryosurgery, is a type of treatment in which the lesion is sprayed with a cryosurgery solution, such as liquid nitrogen. This freezes the cells upon contact and kills them. The lesion will scab over and fall off within a few days after the procedure.
Topical medical therapy
Certain topical treatments such as 5-fluorouracil (Carac, Efudex, Fluoroplex, Tolak) cause inflammation and destruction of the lesions. Other topical treatments include imiquimod (Aldara, Zyclara) and ingenol mebutate (Picato).
Phototherapy
During phototherapy, a solution is applied over the lesion and the affected skin. The area is then exposed to intense laser light that targets and kills the cells. Common solutions used in phototherapy include prescription medications, such as aminolevulinic acid (Levulan Kerastick) and methyl aminolevulinate cream (Metvix).
If treated early, almost all Actinic Keratoses can be cleared up or removed before they develop into skin cancer. If left untreated, some of these spots may progress to squamous cell carcinoma — a type of cancer that is usually not life-threatening if detected and treated early.
Recent Comments
- Doctall Management on AFP Blood Test (Alpha-fetoprotein Blood test)
- superacumen on Aciclovir
Be proactive about your health.
Get weekly health updates, tips and other helpful information from Doctall
Browse through health facts on 50+ common diseases
Get the latest health-related tips and information from Doctall Living, our Lifestyle blog
Be the first to find out what’s new on Doctallpedia
Actinic Keratosis
As you get older, you may begin to notice rough, scaly spots appearing on your hands, arms, or face. These spots are called actinic keratosis, but they are commonly known as sunspots or age spots.
Actinic Keratosis usually develops in areas that have been damaged by years of sun exposure. They form when you have Actinic Keratosis (AK), which is a very common skin condition.
AK occurs when skin cells called keratinocytes start to grow abnormally, forming scaly, discoloured spots. The skin patches can be any of these colours:
- brown
- tan
- gray
- pink
They tend to appear on the parts of the body that get the most sun exposure, including the following:
- hands
- arms
- face
- scalp
- neck
Actinic Keratosis is not cancerous in itself. However, it can progress to Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), though the likelihood is low.
When they are left untreated, up to 10 per cent of actinic keratoses can progress to SCC. SCC is the second most common type of skin cancer. Due to this risk, the spots should be regularly monitored by your doctor or dermatologist. Here are some pictures of SCC and what changes to look out for.
Key facts
- Actinic keratoses (also called solar keratosis) are dry scaly patches of skin that have been damaged by the sun.
- The patches usually appear on areas of your body that are often exposed to the sun, such as your face, hands and arms, ears, scalp, and legs.
- The condition is not usually serious, but there is a small chance they could become skin cancer, so it is important to avoid further damage to your skin.
- Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 before going out into the sun and reapply regularly.
- Wear a hat and clothing that fully covers your legs and arms when you are out in the sunlight.
- Do not go into the sun between 10 am and 3 pm – this is when the sun is at its strongest.
- Treatments for Actinic Keratosis include: prescription creams and gels, freezing the patches (cryotherapy), and photodynamic therapy (PDT), where special cream is applied to the patches and a light is shone onto them to kill abnormal cells.
Symptoms
Actinic keratoses start out as thick, scaly, crusty skin patches. These patches are usually about the size of a small pencil eraser. There might be itching or burning in the affected area.
Over time, the lesions can disappear, enlarge, remain the same, or develop into Squamous Cell Carcinoma. There is no way of knowing which lesions may become cancerous. However, you should have your spots examined by a doctor promptly if you notice any of the following changes:
- hardening of the lesion
- inflammation
- rapid enlargement
- bleeding
- redness
- ulceration
Diagnosis
Do not panic if there are cancerous changes. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is relatively easy to diagnose and treat in its early stages. Your doctor may be able to diagnose Actinic Keratosis simply by looking at it. They may want to take a skin biopsy of any lesions that look suspicious. A skin biopsy is the only foolproof way to tell if lesions have changed into SCC.
Causes
Actinic Keratosis is primarily caused by long-term exposure to sunlight. You have a higher risk of developing this condition if you:
- are over age 60
- have light-coloured skin and blue eyes
- have a tendency to sunburn easily
- have a history of sunburns earlier in life
- have been frequently exposed to the sun over your lifetime
- have human papillomavirus (HPV)
Prevention
The best way to prevent Actinic Keratosis is to reduce your exposure to sunlight. This will also help minimize your risk of skin cancer. Remember to do the following:
- Wear hats and shirts with long sleeves when you are in bright sunlight.
- Avoid going outside at midday, when the sun is brightest.
- Avoid tanning beds.
- Always use sunscreen when you are outside. It is best to use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) rating of at least 30. It should block both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light.
It is also a good idea to examine your skin regularly. Look for the development of new skin growths or any changes in all existing:
- bumps
- birthmarks
- moles
- freckles
Make sure to check for new skin growths or changes in these places:
- face
- neck
- ears
- the tops and undersides of your arms and hands
Schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible if you have any worrisome spots on your skin.
Actinic Keratosis may be treated in the following ways:
Excision
Excision involves cutting the lesion from the skin. Your doctor may choose to remove extra tissue around or under the lesion if there are concerns about skin cancer. Depending on the size of the incision, stitches may or may not be needed.
Cauterization
In cauterization, the lesion is burned with an electric current. This kills the affected skin cells.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy, also called cryosurgery, is a type of treatment in which the lesion is sprayed with a cryosurgery solution, such as liquid nitrogen. This freezes the cells upon contact and kills them. The lesion will scab over and fall off within a few days after the procedure.
Topical medical therapy
Certain topical treatments such as 5-fluorouracil (Carac, Efudex, Fluoroplex, Tolak) cause inflammation and destruction of the lesions. Other topical treatments include imiquimod (Aldara, Zyclara) and ingenol mebutate (Picato).
Phototherapy
During phototherapy, a solution is applied over the lesion and the affected skin. The area is then exposed to intense laser light that targets and kills the cells. Common solutions used in phototherapy include prescription medications, such as aminolevulinic acid (Levulan Kerastick) and methyl aminolevulinate cream (Metvix).
If treated early, almost all Actinic Keratoses can be cleared up or removed before they develop into skin cancer. If left untreated, some of these spots may progress to squamous cell carcinoma — a type of cancer that is usually not life-threatening if detected and treated early.
Share
Related Health Facts
Important Notice
Doctallpedia is ONLY a resource center with information on the symptoms, prevention and treatment of common health problems. Doctallpedia should not be a substitute for proper diagnosis, consultation or medical advice from a doctor or other licensed medical practitioners. The information provided on Doctallpedia are based on available data and is solely for reading and general knowledge. External website links and videos are not the property of Doctall and are only provided for further reading. Information on Doctallpedia should NOT be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for proper medical care.
In the event of similar symptoms, kindly book an appointment to see a certified professional for medical advice.
Below is a list of sources referenced in the Health Facts for additional reading:
Doctall has collated the information contained within this factsheet from several reputable sources listed here
No comment yet, add your voice below!