Actinic Keratosis Information - Actinic Keratosis Treatment and remedy

What is Actinic Keratosis?

An actinic keratosis is a small, rough spot occurring on skin that has been chronically exposed to the sun. Actinic keratoses generally measure in size between 2 to 6 millimeters in diameter (between the size of a pencil point to that of an eraser). 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.

Alternative Names of Actinic Keratosis

• Solar keratosis
• Sun-induced skin changes - keratosis
• Keratosis - actinic solar

Causes of Actinic Keratosis

Actinic keratosis occurs most commonly in fair skin, especially in the elderly and in young individuals with light complexions..Here are the causes of Actinic Keratosis:

• Long periods of sun exposure
• Light-skinned individuals, the very young, and the elderly are at risk.

Symptoms of Actinic Keratosis

Actinic keratoses are small and noticeable red, brown, or skin-colored patches that don't go away. They commonly occur on the head, neck, or hands but can be found on other areas of the body. Usually more than one is present. They may:

• Have a rough texture.
• Itch, burn, or sting.
• Range in size from 1 to 3 mm or larger (about the size of a small pea).
• Be numerous, with several patches close together.
• Be surrounded by red, irritated skin.

Diagnosis of Actinic Keratosis

Doctors can diagnose an actinic keratosis just by examining it. If the AK is especially large or thick, a biopsy may be advisable to make sure that the spot in question is just a keratosis and has not become a skin cancer.

There are other spots, called seborrheic keratoses, that are not caused by sun exposure and have no relationship to skin cancers. These are raised brown lesions that do not appear only on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun. They also often run in families.

Treatment of Actinic Keratosis

The treatment for actinic keratoses depends upon the number and size of the lesions. An actinic keratosis is usually treated by liquid-nitrogen cryotherapy. In this therapy, the treatment selectively destroys actinic keratoses, causing little damage to surrounding normal skin, although some swelling often occurs. The excision of actinic keratoses is occasionally a useful and definitive treatment in selected lesions.

Other promising treatments focus on stopping the gene mutations that cause AKs or altering the skin's immune system so it rejects the pre-cancerous cells.

• Cryosurgery: Freezing AKs with liquid nitrogen often causes them to slough off and go away.
• Other forms of surgery: Doctors sometimes cut away or burn off AKs.
• 5-fluorouracil: Creams containing this medication cause AKs to become red and inflamed before they fall off. Although effective, this method often produces unsightly and uncomfortable skin for a period of weeks, thus making it impractical for many patients.
• Photodynamic therapy: This relatively new therapy involves injecting a chemical into the bloodstream that gathers in AKs and makes them more sensitive to exposure to a specialized form of light.

Preventions tips for Actinic Keratosis

Prevention of actinic keratosis is important. The condition can be precancerous or an early form of skin cancer. Sun safety is necessary to help prevent development and recurrence of patches and lesions caused by actinic keratosis.

• Avoid staying in the sun so long that you get a sunburn or a suntan. Both result in skin damage that can increase your risk of developing actinic keratosis and skin cancer. Sun exposure accumulated over time also may cause actinic keratosis.
• Use high-quality sunscreens, preferably with SPF (sun protection factor) ratings of at least 15. Pick a sunscreen that blocks both UBA and UVB light. Apply sunscreen at least half an hour before exposure, and reapply freque.
• For extra protection from the sun, wear tightly woven clothing that covers your arms and legs and a broad-brimmed hat, which provides more protection than does a baseball cap or golf visor. You might also consider wearing clothing or outdoor gear specially designed to provide sun protection.
• Avoid tanning beds and tan-accelerating agents.
• growths or changes in existing moles, freckles, bumps and birthmarks. With the help of mirrors, check your face, neck, ears and scalp. Examine the tops and undersides of your arms and hands.