What to Do About Keratosis

If you are fond of being outdoors all the time and staying under the sun’s bright rays, you may be at risk for what is known as keratosis. Actinic keratoses refer to small spots which show up on one’s epidermis characterized by being rough or uneven and are caused by over-exposure to the sun. Also known as solar keratosis, this skin condition mostly affects individuals with fair skin who have let themselves be under the sun frequently throughout the years. Every spot has a measurement from 2-6 mm in diameter. Usually  reddish in appearance, the spots feel rough to the touch. Yellow or white scales may often become visible or develop on top of the patches. Aside from having an inherent roughness, actinic keratoses can make your body feel sore as well as painful when something rubs against them, like clothing or even one’s hands.

The affected areas on the skin are usually the face, scalp, and nape. There is also the possibility that the spots can develop on the top part of the hands and on your forearms. These are all the places which are the most exposed when one ventures outside under the strong sunshine. What is alarming about having a keratosis is that it has the tendency to be precancerous. Precancerous means that any actinic keratosis can develop skin cancer. An actinic keratosis is given diagnosis once doctors take a close look at the patches. This is the reason why it is advised that when one notices an unusual, uncomfortable growth on one’s skin, he or she must directly go to a good physician to have it checked for anything precancerous.

Always better than the cure, prevention must always be given importance when it comes to skin problems. Keratosis is best prevented when a person refrains from staying under the strong rays of the sun. For those that have the misfortune to already have the condition, keratosis removal is a likely solution to the problem.   Keratosis treatment can come in the form of photodynamic therapy, imiquimod therapy, diclofenac therapy, 5-fluorouracil therapy, cryosurgery as well as cutting or burning of the keratoses.  

You must visit your doctor annually to check your skin once you have been given keratosis treatment. Suspicious changes in your old keratoses may be a symptom of cancer, which must be given diagnosis as soon as possible. And lastly, a good piece of advice: once you have experienced keratosis, avoid excessive exposure to the sun to lessen the chances of the spots to come back.