Take a good look at your skin. Do you see any crusty, rough, scaly growths on areas of your body with lots of sun exposure, such as your face, nose, ears, bald heads, arms, and the backs of your hands? If so, then you, along with 58 million other people, may have a precancerous skin growth called actinic keratosis. Caused by years of overexposure to the sun, these usually harmless growths have the potential of turning into squamous cell skin cancer, the second most common type of skin cancer.
Actinic keratosis (AK) is caused by years of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or indoor tanning beds. It’s important to see a dermatologist as they are considered precancerous and if left untreated, they may turn into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. Most people get more than one and when they do, it is then called actinic keratoses, or AKs.
Actinic keratosis is not the same thing as seborrheic keratosis, which is usually a harmless skin growth. Seborrheic keratosis can vary in appearance; most are usually white to tan to dark brown and have a rough, wart-like surface that can make them appear “stuck” on the skin.
Actinic keratosis (AK) usually start off as small – most are less than a quarter-inch across – often pinkish-red or flesh-colored so that you may not notice in the beginning. Sometimes AK can go away, but will often return. They tend to be slightly elevated and can feel like sandpaper when rubbed. They are commonly painless but sometimes may itch, feel tender, or become inflamed.
The majority of the time, AKs do not develop into skin cancers. However, it’s highly recommended to have a dermatologist check them out and treated before they might become a problem.
Those most prone for developing AKs are fair-skinned people, with light-colored hair and eyes. Generally most AKs appear in adults over the age of 40. However, if anyone has used an indoor tanning bed or lives in a sunny climate, such as Florida or California, AKs may form at an earlier age. Others who are at a high risk for formation of AKs are anyone with a weak immune system or has a condition that makes them sensitive to UV rays.
To diagnose AKs, a dermatologist can simply look at a person’s skin or feel the skin. Sometimes, a biopsy may be needed which is usually done during an office visit. Either the entire growth is removed or a part of it. The removed skin is sent to a lab to be examined under a microscope.
If you suspect you may have AK, see your dermatologist. There are several treatment options available and a dermatologist can recommend the best approach based on the size and number of growths and where they appear on the body.
Here are some common treatment options: