Actinic Keratoses

Actinic keratoses are dry, scaly, rough-textured patches or lesions that form on the outermost layer of the skin after years of exposure to ultraviolet light, such as sunlight. They are red scaly patches often sensitive to touch that occur most frequently on sun exposed areas such as the face, scalp, ears, neck, hands and arms. These lesions typically range in color from skin-toned to reddish brown and in size from that of a pinhead to larger than a quarter. Occasionally, a lesion grows to resemble an animal horn and is called a “cutaneous horn.” Sometimes they may have some brown pigment and may be difficult to tell from the more harmless lentigo ( liver spots ). Solar keratoses are not skin cancer, but if left untreated they can turn into skin cancer. They are usually reddish in color and often have a white scale on top. In addition to feeling rough, actinic keratoses may feel sore or painful when fingers or clothing rub against them. Actinic keratosis can be the first step in the development of skin cancer, and, therefore, is a precursor of cancer or a precancer.

Actinic keratoses usually grow slowly. When actinic keratoses first appear, they may look like patches of tiny red blood vessels on the surface of your skin. AKs are considered the earliest stage in the development of skin cancer and have the potential to progress to squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer that can be fatal. Actinic keratoses typically occur in adults over the age of thirty, although they can occur in younger individuals who have had a great deal of sun exposure. These lesions are important because they are a precursor to skin cancer. It is important to recognize and treat actinic keratoses as early as possible to prevent progesson to skin cancer, most commonly squamous cell carcinoma . At Dermatology & Laser Center of Charleston, numerous treatment options are available, both conventional and advanced. Using our advanced photodynamic therapy techniques, through a comination of a sensitizing medication and intense pulsed light, approximately three treatment sessions can be used to eliminate many actinic keratoses over a wide area such as the entire face.

Causes of Actinic Keratoses

The common causes of Actinic Keratoses :

Pale skin
A history of frequent or intense sun exposure or sunburn
Blond or red hair, especially when coupled with blue, hazel or green eyes
Common locations for actinic keratoses are the face, scalp, back of the neck, upper chest, as well as the tops of the hands and forearms.
A weak immune system as a result of chemotherapy, AIDS or an organ transplant
Men are more likely to develop AKs on top of the ears, whereas women's hairstyles often protect this area.

Symptoms of Actinic Keratoses

Some symptoms of Actinic Keratoses :

Lesions on your skin ranging in color from pink to red to brown, or flesh-colored.
Red, scaly skin.
Flat to slightly raised, scaly patches on the top layer of your skin.
Sores.
Rough patches of skin.
Crusty skin.

Treatment of Actinic Keratoses

Cryotherapy .
A combination of these treatments may also be used.
Solar keratoses can be removed by surgery or by freezing with Liquid nitrogen.
When there are many keratoses, a useful treatment is 5-FU (5-fluorouracil) cream.
Topical drug therapy .

Nails Care

Anychia
Clawing of the Nails
Clubbing
Discoloration of the Nail Plate
Ingrowing Toe Nail
Koilonychia
Longitudinal Striations
Loss of Nail Plate
Onycholysis
Paronychia
Pitting of Nail Plates
Pterygium
Thickening of Nail Plate
Transverse Ridges

Disclaimer : All information on www.removeacne.org is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, please consult your doctor.