Actinic keratosis (patient information)
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# Overview
Actinic keratosis is a small, rough, raised area found on skin that has been exposed to the sun over a long period of time.
Over many years, some actinic keratoses may develop into a type of skin cancer.

# What are the symptoms of Actinic keratosis?
Actinic keratosis is usually found on the face, scalp, back of the hands, chest, or other sun-exposed areas.
They may be gray, pink, red, or the same color as the skin. Often, they have a white or yellow scale on top.
- They begin as flat and scaly areas
- Later they develop a hard and wart-like or gritty, rough, and "sandpapery" surface -- may develop a horn-like texture
The skin lesion may be easier to feel than to see.

# What causes Actinic keratosis?
Actinic keratosis is caused by sun exposure, but it takes many years or decades to develop.

# Who is at highest risk?
Risk factors for actinic keratosis include:
- Having fair skin, blue or green eyes, or blond or red hair
- History of kidney or other solid organ transplant (people who take medicines that suppress the immune system)
- Long-term, daily sun exposure (for example, if you work outdoors)
- Multiple, severe sunburns early in life
- Older age

# Diagnosis
The health care provider makes the diagnosis based on the appearance of the skin growth. A skin biopsy may be done for larger and thicker actinic keratoses to make sure no cancer is present.

# When to seek urgent medical care?
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if areas of persistent roughness or scaliness develop in sun-exposed skin.

# Treatment options
Because about 5% of actinic keratoses go on to develop into squamous cell skin cancer, have them examined promptly. Follow your health care provider's advice for treatment.
Growths may be removed by:
- Burning (electrical cautery)
- Scraping away the lesion and using electricity to kill any remaining cells (caled curettage and electrodesiccation)
- Cutting the tumor out and using stitches to place the skin back together (called excision)
- Freezing (cryotherapy, which freezes and kills the cells)
When many actinic keratoses are found, treatments that cause irritation and redness over a larger area are used:
- A laser treatment called photodynamic therapy
- Chemical peels
- Creams such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and imiquimod

# Where to find medical care for Actinic keratosis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Actinic keratosis

# What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Actinic keratosis itself is harmless ( benign), but about 5% develop into skin cancer.
Removal of the growth is usually effective.

# Possible complications
- Irritation and discomfort of the skin growth
- Scarring from the treatment
- Squamous cell carcinoma

# Prevention of Actinic keratosis
Reduce sun exposure and protect your skin from the sun:
- Wear protective clothing such as hats, long-sleeved shirts, long skirts, or pants.
- Try to avoid sun exposure during midday, when ultraviolet light is most intense.
- Use high-quality sunscreens, preferably with a sun protection factor (SPF) rating of at least 15. Pick a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB light.
- Apply sunscreen before going out into the sun, and reapply often.
- Use sunscreen year-round, including in the winter.
- Avoid sun lamps, tanning beds, and tanning salons.
Other important sun safety facts to keep in mind:
- Sun exposure is stronger in or near surfaces that reflect light, such as water, sand, concrete, and areas painted white.
- Sun exposure is more intense at the beginning of the summer.
- Skin burns faster at higher altitudes.

# Sources