Actinic keratosis is typically asymptomatic. In fact, a patient can have it for a number of years before he or she notices any visible signs of this skin condition.
Visible symptoms or signs of actinic keratosis include the development of a dry, scaly patch of skin that measures about 1 inch, discoloration of the skin, a slight itching or burning, or a small patch of bumps on the skin. These symptoms are often present on parts of the body that are exposed to the sun, such as hands, face, and neck.