Actinic keratosis, also known as solar keratosis, is a small growth on the epidermis of the skin caused by too much sun exposure over time. It’s most common among people with fair skin who spend a lot of time outdoors. These spots can be pink, red, or brown and often look like tiny scabs. They can even feel rough like sandpaper.

The growths are not cancerous, but without treatment they can become cancerous. So if you notice any of these spots on your skin, you should seek treatment immediately. If left untreated AKs (a common abbreviation for actinic keratosis) can become squamous cell carcinoma which can be fatal.

A good way to prevent actinic keratosis is to limit sun exposure and to use sunscreen when you are outdoors. However, if you already have some AKs it’s not too late to treat them.

Actinic Keratosis Treatment: There are many different ways to treat AKs. At home treatments include cryotherapy (freezing off the spot), topical creams that contain 5-fluorouracil (often called 5-FU), bleomycin, and imiquimod, or photodynamic therapy also known as PDT which

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a skin condition that’s caused by years of sun exposure. It occurs when abnormal skin cells grow on the outer layer of your skin. These cells form scaly or crusty patches, known as lesions, which may be pink, red, or the same color as your skin. They can occur anywhere on your body — including your scalp, face, lips, ears, hands, arms, and legs. But they’re most common on areas that get the most sun exposure.

The exact cause of actinic keratosis is unknown. However, it’s thought to result from cumulative sun damage over time. It isn’t cancerous at first. But if left untreated, it can become squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a type of skin cancer.

While AK doesn’t usually cause symptoms at first, some people with AK may experience itching or burning sensations in the affected area. A small number may experience tenderness or pain in the affected area.

The lesions are usually flat and rough and appear in areas that have been exposed to the sun for years without adequate protection from sunscreen or clothing. They often show up on the arms and head but can show up anywhere on the body — including your legs and trunk.

Actinic keratosis (AK), also known as solar keratosis, is a small, rough, scaly patch on your skin that forms when there is long-term sun damage.

The area is usually red or pinkish, but it can be skin-toned or brown. It’s often less than 1/4 inch in diameter.

Actinic keratosis can occur anywhere on your body, but it’s most common on areas exposed to the sun, especially the face, lips, ears, bald scalp, shoulders, neck and backs of hands.

It’s more common in people with light skin and those who are older than 40.

If not treated early and properly, actinic keratosis can develop into a form of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Treatments can help prevent this from happening. However, some treatments may cause scarring or changes in pigmentation (color) to your skin.

Actinic Keratosis or solar keratosis is a skin problem. It is caused by over exposure to the sun. The skin cells are damaged due to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. This results in the formation of dry, scaly and rough patches over the skin. These patches are red or pinkish in color. The condition is also known as solar keratosis. A person suffering from actinic keratosis can be as young as 20 years or as old as 80 years.

The patches thus formed have a rough surface and may itch at times. They feel like sandpaper when touched. They may also bleed if scratched or rubbed hard. These patches can be found on any part of the body but are mainly found on the face, ears, neck, lips, forearms and scalp.

Actinic keratosis is not a fatal condition but it may lead to cancer if left untreated for long time. There are various treatment methods for actinic keratosis such as cryosurgery (freezing), laser surgery, photodynamic therapy (PDT), curettage (scraping) and chemical peels (application of chemicals).

Actinic keratosis is a very common skin condition that affects millions of people each and every year. The disease is also known as solar keratosis, senile keratosis and horn implants. Actinic keratosis is a result of too much exposure to the sun. It is a pre-cancerous condition that can lead to squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated. As such, it is important to treat actinic keratosis as early as possible in order to avoid other serious health problems.

“Actinic” refers to the fact that these growths are caused by exposure to sunlight. “Keratosis” refers to growths on the surface of the skin. These growths are often rough and scaly in appearance, and can vary in color from pink or flesh-colored, brown, red or black. They can be very small or grow up to an inch in diameter. They may feel dry and rough, like sandpaper or a callus.

Actinic keratoses are considered premalignant lesions because they have the potential to develop into squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated.[2] In most cases, actinic keratoses appear on areas of the body most frequently exposed to the sun such as the face

Actinic keratosis is a pre-cancerous condition that can be treated with freezing, creams, surgery or laser. Treatment for actinic keratosis aims to remove the lesions and prevent them from becoming cancer.

Treatment for actinic keratosis is usually recommended due to the risk of developing skin cancer from the lesions. Actinic keratosis (AK) lesions are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or tanning beds. An AK lesion is a thickened patch of skin that is scaly, dry, rough and sometimes red. AK lesions are most common on sun-exposed areas of the body such as the face, ears and hands.

The risk of having an AK turn into skin cancer is low but it does happen. The best way to treat AKs is by preventing them from occurring in the first place. It’s important to avoid UV light exposure from sunlight and tanning beds. Use sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher every day to help protect against AKs and use it properly by applying enough, reapplying every two hours and after swimming or sweating.

If you already have AKs, your doctor may recommend treatment depending on how many you have and where they are located.

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a precancerous skin condition caused by the cumulative effects of sun exposure over many years. AK is a sign that skin has been damaged by ultraviolet (UV) rays, and left untreated, some AK lesions may progress to squamous cell carcinoma. Since it is not possible to accurately predict which AK lesions will develop into skin cancer, treatment of all visible lesions can help reduce the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma.

Actinic keratosis is also known as solar keratosis or senile keratosis.

The most effective way to treat actinic keratosis is with a freezing technique called cryosurgery.