Actinic keratosis: Difference between revisions
From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia
CSV import |
No edit summary |
||
| (One intermediate revision by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Infobox medical condition | {{Infobox medical condition | ||
| name = Actinic keratosis | | name = Actinic keratosis | ||
| Line 22: | Line 21: | ||
| frequency = Common in [[older adults]] | | frequency = Common in [[older adults]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
[[Actinic keratosis]] (AK), also known as solar keratosis, is a rough, scaly patch on your skin that develops from years of exposure to the sun. It's most commonly found on the face, lips, ears, back of your hands, forearms, scalp, and neck. | |||
[[File:Actinic keratosis on the lip.JPEG|thumb|Actinic keratosis on the lip]] | [[File:Actinic keratosis on the lip.JPEG|thumb|Actinic keratosis on the lip|left]] | ||
[[File:Actinic keratosis of the scalp.jpg|thumb|left|Actinic keratosis of the scalp]] | |||
==Causes== | ==Causes== | ||
The primary cause of actinic keratosis is prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, either from sunlight or from tanning beds. | The primary cause of actinic keratosis is prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, either from sunlight or from tanning beds. | ||
[[File:Histopathology of actinic keratosis with moderate atypia.jpg|thumb|Histopathology of actinic keratosis with moderate atypia]] | [[File:Histopathology of actinic keratosis with moderate atypia.jpg|thumb|left|Histopathology of actinic keratosis with moderate atypia]] | ||
==Symptoms== | ==Symptoms== | ||
* Actinic keratoses start as thick, scaly, crusty skin patches. These patches are often less than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter. They might be hard to see at first but are usually easier to feel. Other signs and symptoms include: | * Actinic keratoses start as thick, scaly, crusty skin patches. These patches are often less than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter. They might be hard to see at first but are usually easier to feel. Other signs and symptoms include: | ||
| Line 33: | Line 33: | ||
* Skin color changes | * Skin color changes | ||
* Itching or burning in the affected area | * Itching or burning in the affected area | ||
==Risk Factors== | ==Risk Factors== | ||
* Factors that increase your risk of actinic keratosis include: | * Factors that increase your risk of actinic keratosis include: | ||
Latest revision as of 02:47, 4 April 2025
| Actinic keratosis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Synonyms | Solar keratosis, senile keratosis |
| Pronounce | |
| Specialty | Dermatology |
| Symptoms | Rough, scaly patch on the skin |
| Complications | Squamous cell carcinoma |
| Onset | |
| Duration | |
| Types | |
| Causes | Ultraviolet light exposure |
| Risks | Fair skin, immunosuppression, age |
| Diagnosis | Clinical diagnosis, biopsy |
| Differential diagnosis | Seborrheic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma |
| Prevention | Sun protection, sunscreen |
| Treatment | Cryotherapy, topical chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy |
| Medication | 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, diclofenac |
| Prognosis | Good with treatment |
| Frequency | Common in older adults |
| Deaths | N/A |
Actinic keratosis (AK), also known as solar keratosis, is a rough, scaly patch on your skin that develops from years of exposure to the sun. It's most commonly found on the face, lips, ears, back of your hands, forearms, scalp, and neck.
Causes[edit]
The primary cause of actinic keratosis is prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, either from sunlight or from tanning beds.
Symptoms[edit]
- Actinic keratoses start as thick, scaly, crusty skin patches. These patches are often less than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter. They might be hard to see at first but are usually easier to feel. Other signs and symptoms include:
- Rough-textured skin
- Skin color changes
- Itching or burning in the affected area
Risk Factors[edit]
- Factors that increase your risk of actinic keratosis include:
- Having fair skin, blue or light-colored eyes, and blond or red hair
- Older age
- Chronic sun exposure
- History of sunburns
- Having a weak immune system
Treatment[edit]
- Treatment options for actinic keratosis include:
- Topical medications
- Cryotherapy (freezing the lesion with liquid nitrogen)
- Photodynamic therapy (a special light activates a chemical that kills the cells)
- Curettage (scraping off the lesion)
- Laser resurfacing
Prevention[edit]
To help protect yourself from developing actinic keratosis, minimize your sun exposure and protect your skin from UV radiation.
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
- "Actinic keratosis". Mayo Clinic.
- "Actinic Keratosis". American Academy of Dermatology Association.
- "Actinic Keratosis". American Cancer Society.
 | |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| Diseases of the skin and appendages by morphology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Radiation-related disorders / Photodermatoses | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Skin cancer of the epidermis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
