Actinic keratosis (AK), also called as a solar keratosis. Actinic keratosis is a skin disorder characterized by coarse, scaly patches on the skin of your face, lips, ears, back of your hands, forearms, scalp and neck. The cause is frequent or intensive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, typically from the sun.
Actinic keratosis happens most commonly in fair skin, especially in the elderly and in young individuals with light complexions. When skin is exposed to the sun consistently, thick, scaly, or crusty bumps appear. The scaly or brusque part of the bump is dry and rough. The growths begins out as flat scaly areas, and later grow into a tough, wart-like area. Actinic keratoses develops slowly and usually cause no signs or marks other than patches or small spots on your skin.
These lesions take years to grow, usually first appearing in senior adults. An actinic keratosis site commonly varies in between 2 to 6 millimeters, and can be dark or light, tan, pink, red, a combination of all these, or the same pigment of one’s skin. Men are more probably to develop. AKs on top of the ears, while on the contrary women’s hairstyles often protect this area. Around 2 to 5 percent of actinic keratoses forms into a intense form of skin cancer named squamous cell carcinoma.
Most probably to develop actinic keratosis if you have one or more of these risk factors such as pale skin, blond or red hair, especially when coupled with blue, hazel or green eyes. A tendency to bespeckle or burn when exposed to sunlight and a weak immune system as a result of chemotherapy, AIDS or an organ transplant.
The perfect treatment for an AK is prevention. For light-skinned individuals, this means reducing their sun exposure. Wear protective clothing such as hats, long-sleeved shirts, long skirts, or pants. Ultraviolet light is most serious midday, so try to avoid sun exposure during these hours. Avoid tanning beds and tan-accelerating agents. Everyday applying powerful sunscreens with SPF ratings greater than 15 and that also block both UVA and UVB light.
Cryosurgery, one of the most common treatments done, freezes off lesions through actuation of liquid nitrogen. A special laser is used to precisely minimize the actinic keratoses and the affected skin underneath. Topical cream is effective in treating keratoses, specifically when lesions are numerous.