SEBORRHEIC KERATOSIS

Seborrheic Keratosis - Symptoms And Causes

Seborrheic Keratosis is one of the most common non-cancerous skin growths in older adults. It may feel worrisome because it can look like a wart, precancerous skin growth or skin cancer. Despite their appearance, they are harmless.

WHO GETS THEM?

Most patients are middle-aged or older. Because they begin at a later age and can have a wart-like appearance, these lesions are also known as Barnacles of Aging. The number tends to increase with age. The people most likely to develop have fair skin and family members who have seborrheic keratosis. People with dark skin tend to be small and appear around eyes. Many patients develop them during pregnancy and after hormone replacement therapy.

CAUSES

• Genetic predisposition: Seborrheic keratosis seems to run in families.

• Sun Exposure: may play a role in causing seborrheic keratoses.

• Non-contagious nature: They seem to multiply and spread to other parts of the body.

   

  CLINICAL PICTURE

• A seborrheic keratosis usually appears as a brown, black or light tan growth on the face, chest, shoulders or back.

• Seborrheic keratosis is not contagious.

• Start as small, rough bumps, then slowly thickens to develop warty surface. The growth has a waxy scaly slightly elevated appearance.

• Range in size from an inch or even more

• Not painful; sometimes may itch.

TREATMENT :

Indications for removal are -

1. Looks like skin cancer

2. Gets caught on clothing or jewelry

3. Becomes irritated easily

4. Seems unsightly to a patient

5. Appears suddenly along with many new growths

6. Grows quickly, turns black, itches or bleeds
   
   Methods of removal include

• Burning with Radiofrequency: involves numbing the growth with an anesthetic and using an electric current to destroy the growth. The patient doesn't need stitches with minimal bleeding

• Vaporizing the growth with Carbon dioxide laser: is one of the treatment options for the removal of seborrheic keratosis.