Be Careful About Precancerous Actinic Keratosis

Skin cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed of all cancers, exceeding even colorectal, prostate, breast, and lung cancer. Skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the population’s 20 – 39 age bracket. Unknown to by many, actinic keratosis is precancerous and has been confirmed to potentially progress into squamous cell carcinoma, a skin cancer. Studies prove that actinic keratosis lesions have a 20% possibility of becoming cancerous unless given attention.

Otherwise known as solar keratosis or senile keratosis, actinic keratosis often appears as small, rough patches of skin that are 2-6 mm each in diameter. Often painful as well as sore, the actinic keratoses are colored red. On several occasions, the lesions are covered with yellowish scales that can also appear as white.

Research studies have proven that actinic keratosis may lead to skin cancer which makes it a risky skin condition.

Over exposure to the sun’s rays is the principal cause of solar keratosis, especially if you stay outside for a very long time under the sun. Fair-skinned individuals are more at risk with regards to this skin condition, especially when they go outside without protection from the sun.

Actinic keratosis commonly afflicts the forearms as well as upper part of the hands the most often. This is because these parts are often the most exposed to the sun. The face, scalp, and nape are also major places for the actinic keratosis lesions to appear. For some, even their legs get affected with the skin condition.

It is highly advised that lesions from actinic keratosis be immediately removed once diagnosed. Upon seeing such reddish lesions, visit your dermatologist as soon as possible. Have the doctor determine if the patches of reddish skin are precancerous. Once the dermatologist diagnoses your lesions as those caused by actinic keratosis, it is time to move quickly. When it comes to cancer, time is of the essence. The sooner that the cancer is treated, the better the chances are of you being healed.

Usage of creams is done by some for actinic keratosis treatment. Photodynamic creams or those that come with imiquimod, diclofenac, or 5-fluorouracil are applied in skin therapy to treat actinic keratosis. One more method is by the application of lasers. Cryosurgery is another choice while the burning/cutting of the keratoses is another.

Regardless of the type of treatment you use for your actinic keratosis, make sure that your doctor may be relied upon as well as is competent. Such precancerous lesions may be your end if you are not serious with your treatment.