Seborrheic keratosis: Difference between revisions

Seborrheic keratosis
Synonyms	Seborrheic verruca, senile wart
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Wart-like growths on the skin
Complications	Irritation, bleeding
Onset	Middle age or older
Duration	Chronic
Types	N/A
Causes	Unknown
Risks	Age, genetics, sun exposure
Diagnosis	Clinical diagnosis, dermoscopy
Differential diagnosis	Melanoma, actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Cryotherapy, curettage, laser therapy
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Very common
Deaths	N/A

Latest revision as of 20:17, 8 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Seborrheic keratosis is a noncancerous skin growth that often appears in older adults. It is characterized by its waxy, slightly elevated appearance and can vary in color from light tan to black. Seborrheic keratosis is typically not a cause for concern unless it becomes irritated or aesthetically displeasing.

Causes[edit]

The exact cause of seborrheic keratosis is unknown. However, they tend to be more common in older adults and may be genetically inherited. Some studies suggest that sun exposure may also play a role in their development.

Symptoms[edit]

Seborrheic keratosis typically presents as a round or oval-shaped growth on the skin. They can appear anywhere on the body, but are most commonly found on the face, chest, shoulders, or back. The growths are usually brown, but can range in color from light tan to black. They have a waxy, scaly, slightly elevated appearance and are often mistaken for warts or melanoma.

Diagnosis[edit]

Seborrheic keratosis is usually diagnosed through a physical examination. In some cases, a biopsy may be performed to rule out other conditions, such as skin cancer.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment for seborrheic keratosis is typically not necessary unless the growth becomes irritated or the individual is unhappy with its appearance. In these cases, the growth can be removed through cryosurgery, electrocautery, or curettage.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{SI}}
+{{Infobox medical condition
+| name            = Seborrheic keratosis
+| image           = [[File:Seborrheic_keratosis_on_human_back.jpg|250px]]
+| caption         = Seborrheic keratosis on human back
+| field           = [[Dermatology]]
+| synonyms        = Seborrheic verruca, senile wart
+| symptoms        = [[Wart]]-like growths on the skin
+| complications   = [[Irritation]], [[bleeding]]
+| onset           = [[Middle age]] or older
+| duration        = [[Chronic (medicine)|Chronic]]
+| causes          = Unknown
+| risks           = [[Age]], [[genetics]], [[sun exposure]]
+| diagnosis       = [[Clinical diagnosis]], [[dermoscopy]]
+| differential    = [[Melanoma]], [[actinic keratosis]], [[basal cell carcinoma]]
+| treatment       = [[Cryotherapy]], [[curettage]], [[laser therapy]]
+| frequency       = Very common
+}}
 '''Seborrheic keratosis''' is a noncancerous [[skin]] growth that often appears in older adults. It is characterized by its waxy, slightly elevated appearance and can vary in color from light tan to black. Seborrheic keratosis is typically not a cause for concern unless it becomes irritated or aesthetically displeasing.
-[[File:Seborrheic keratosis on human back.jpg|Seborrheic keratosis on human back|thumb]]
+[[File:Seborrheic keratosis (1).jpg|left|thumb|[[Micrograph]] of a seborrheic keratosis ([[H&E stain]], scanning magnification)]]
-[[File:Seborrheic keratosis (1).jpg|thumb|[[Micrograph]] of a seborrheic keratosis ([[H&E stain]], scanning magnification)]]
 == Causes ==
 The exact cause of seborrheic keratosis is unknown. However, they tend to be more common in older adults and may be genetically inherited. Some studies suggest that sun exposure may also play a role in their development.
 == Symptoms ==
 Seborrheic keratosis typically presents as a round or oval-shaped growth on the skin. They can appear anywhere on the body, but are most commonly found on the face, chest, shoulders, or back. The growths are usually brown, but can range in color from light tan to black. They have a waxy, scaly, slightly elevated appearance and are often mistaken for [[warts]] or [[melanoma]].
 == Diagnosis ==
 Seborrheic keratosis is usually diagnosed through a physical examination. In some cases, a [[biopsy]] may be performed to rule out other conditions, such as skin cancer.
 == Treatment ==
 Treatment for seborrheic keratosis is typically not necessary unless the growth becomes irritated or the individual is unhappy with its appearance. In these cases, the growth can be removed through cryosurgery, electrocautery, or curettage.
 == See also ==
 * [[Actinic keratosis]]