Actinic Keratosis

It is also known as solar keratosis because it is arising from the long-term exposure of the sun. Actinic keratosis is a rough, hard, scaly patch develop on your skin due to sun exposure. It generally arises on your lip, ear, neck, head, arm, hands.

It appears after 40 years of age, develops slowly and grows gradually it gives no signs and symptoms except a small patch on the skin.

Symptoms

Following are the sign and symptoms of actinic keratosis:

Itching and burning sensation in the affected area
A rough, dry, scaly patch
Color varies between pink red and brown.
Hard warts like structure in some people.
Flat to raise patch.

Causes

It is caused by the long-term intense UV rays’ exposure and tanning bed.

Complications

Complications are severe if not treated early, it may develop into squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.

Prevention

Prevention is necessary because it may develop into skin cancer or an early form of squamous cell carcinoma. Avoid unnecessary sun exposure is the basics of prevention.

Taking the following precautions may help you better:

Cover up your body when you go outside during day time.
Use sun block creams.
Avoid tanning bed.
Limit your sun exposure time.
Check your skin regularly.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made at clinical by your doctor; your doctor may recommend the skin biopsy to rule out the pre-cancerous condition.

Treatment

Usually, it heals on its own, but it reappeared when you started to exposed to the sun again. Removal is the best solution as a precaution.

Medications

If you don’t want to remove it, then there is a certain medication for actinic keratosis which treat the entire affected area.

Following are the medications:

Diclofenac gel
Imiquimod cream
Ingenol mebutate
Fluorouracil cream

Home remedies

Apply coconut oil in the affected area.
Tea tree oil is also beneficial for pigmentation.
Use a green tea mask for a soothing effect.

Actinic Keratosis