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Dec 4, 2020 · Actinic keratosis (AK) is a skin disorder that causes rough, scaly patches of skin. Another name for AK is solar keratosis. AK is a type of precancer, which means that if you don’t treat the condition, it could turn into cancer. Without treatment, AK can lead to a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.
- Sian Ferguson
- 5-fluorouracil. “One of the widely used and most effective prescription at-home therapies is topical chemotherapy called 5-fluorouracil,” Pratt says.
- Diclofenac sodium. Diclofenac sodium gel (Solaraze, Cambia, Voltaren) is a topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can help treat actinic keratosis.
- Imiquimod. You may get a prescription for this medication if you have actinic keratoses on your face and scalp. This medication works by affecting your body’s immune response to skin lesions.
- Ingenol mebutate. You’ll apply this medication gel once a day for 2 or 3 days in a row and leave it on for about 6 hours before washing it off. Your dermatologist will give you more specific, personalized directions on using this treatment.
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What happens if actinic keratosis is left untreated?
What is actinic keratosis (AK)?
Do all actinic keratoses develop into skin cancer?
Can sun exposure cause actinic keratoses?
Nov 28, 2022 · It’s also possible that actinic keratosis can go away on its own. This is called regression and is estimated to happen in 25% to 50% of people. Actinic keratosis can also recur after treatment ...
Actinic keratosis is a pre-cancerous skin lesion on the skin. They are usually rough, scaly patches that form on the areas that receive extensive sun exposure: the face, lips, ears, backs of the hands, forearms, scalp, or neck. These growths develop slowly and don’t have any signs or symptoms other than their appearance.
Patients first notice actinic keratosis as a scaly, gritty sensation on the face. Sometimes, it takes on a red color. It feels thick and flaky, almost like a scab that never quite heals. In some cases, it fades and reappears over a long period of time. These spots come and go as the body fights unhealthy cells.
Jul 27, 2022 · Summary. Actinic keratosis (AK) involves scaly skin patches that develop on sun-exposed areas, such as the face, shoulders, ears, scalp, and lips. It results from chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays and can develop into skin cancer. Many dermatologists remove skin areas with AK. AK involves the most common types of precancerous cells on ...
Treatment. |. Actinic keratoses (solar keratoses) are precancerous growths caused by long-term sun exposure. Many years of sun exposure can cause actinic keratoses to develop on the skin. Actinic keratoses are rough and scaly and appear in various colors. The diagnosis is usually based on a doctor's evaluation.
