Seborrheic Keratosis (SK) is a common skin growth that usually appears later in life. It can range in color from light tan to dark brown and is often mistaken for moles or skin cancer. Although SKs are harmless, they can be unsightly or irritating.
What Are the Symptoms of Seborrheic Keratosis?
The main symptom of seborrheic keratosis is the growth of raised, brown/black spots on the skin. These spots tend to be:
non-cancerous (benign)
rough or warty in texture
flat or raised above the surface of the skin
oval or round in shape
smaller than the size of a pencil eraser
larger than a pinhead
single or multiple (appearing as clusters)
Seborrheic keratosis is a skin condition that many people will have to deal with at some point in their lives. These growths are not dangerous but they can be irritating, especially for those who are self-conscious about them. The good news is that there are treatment options available for those who want to get rid of them.
What Are Seborrheic Keratosis?
Seborrheic keratosis is not a life-threatening condition; these growths are benign and non-cancerous. They appear as raised spots or little growths on the skin. While they can appear anywhere on the body, they generally show up on the face, chest, and shoulders.
They can range in color from brown to black and they may appear gray or tan as well. They tend to be flat or slightly raised and may feel rough in texture. Sometimes, they can become itchy or irritated, which can be frustrating for those who have them.
Seborrheic keratosis are more common among older people and those who have family members with the condition. There does not seem to be a direct link between seborrheic keratosis and sun damage, but people who spend a lot of time in
Seborrheic keratosis, also known as senile or basal cell papilloma, is a benign skin condition that can develop on any part of the body. Seborrheic keratoses are common and affect people of all ages and both sexes. The first seborrheic keratosis typically develops after the age of 30 years, but they can appear at any age. They are most commonly seen in people older than 60 years. If you have one seborrheic keratosis, you are likely to develop more in other areas of your body. It is not unusual for a person to have more than 10 seborrheic keratoses.
Seborrheic keratoses range in color from light tan to black; their surface is warty and feels like sandpaper. They usually have a rough texture and may resemble warts, moles or skin cancer (e.g., basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma). Seborrheic keratoses vary in size from less than 1/8 inch (3 mm) to more than an inch (25 mm) wide, or larger if they grow together to form plaques (flat areas). They are often multiple,
Seborrheic keratoses are noncancerous (benign) skin growths that some people develop as they age. They often appear on the back or chest, but can occur on any part of the body. Seborrheic keratoses are very common.
A seborrheic keratosis typically appears as a brown, black or light tan growth on the face, chest, shoulders or back. The growth has a waxy, scaly, slightly elevated appearance; it is often described as looking like stuck-on plaque. It may be round or oval in shape and have a crusty surface.
The growth is usually small at first, ranging in size from 1/16 to 1/2 inch in diameter. Over time, a seborrheic keratosis may increase in size and develop an irregular surface with a “stuck-on” appearance. A seborrheic keratosis may appear singly or there may be several of them.
Seborrheic keratoses are harmless and require no treatment at all — although some people prefer to have them removed for cosmetic reasons. If your dermatologist recommends removal of one of these growths, it can be done by:
These noncancerous growths that most often appear on the face and trunk are harmless.
Seborrheic keratosis is a common, noncancerous (benign) skin growth that some people develop as they age. The growths look waxy, pale, or yellowish and feel scaly. They can vary in size from smaller than a pea to larger than a quarter.
The number of seborrheic keratoses you have may increase with age. They tend to run in families.
Seborrheic keratoses usually appear after age 30 and grow slowly over time. When they first appear, they may look like warts, moles or skin tags.
Seborrheic keratoses are not related to seborrheic dermatitis (also called dandruff), which is a separate condition caused by inflammation of the skin on the scalp, face and upper trunk.
Seborrheic keratoses (also known as senile warts) are non-cancerous skin growths that often appear on the face, chest, shoulders or back. They are usually found on older adults, but can also occur in younger people. Seborrheic keratoses are a common type of lesion that people may mistake for other skin conditions.
Seborrheic keratoses resemble warts but they have a “stuck-on” appearance. They are often brown or black, and can vary from flat to raised warts. Lesions generally do not cause pain but can become itchy and irritated if clothing or other materials rub against them.
These lesions have been referred to as barnacles of aging because they tend to develop with age and are a harmless condition. Seborrheic Keratosis is not contagious nor does it always require treatment unless it is bothersome or unsightly to the patient.
Lesions often occur in clusters and can be tan, brown, or black in color. They tend to look “stuck on” the skin rather than growing out of the skin like a wart. In some cases lesions may be itchy or irritated if clothing or other materials rub against them
Seborrheic keratosis, also known as senile wart or basal cell papilloma, is the most common skin growth. Seborrheic keratoses are noncancerous (benign) growths that can range in color from light tan to brown or black. They are raised and usually have a waxy, scaly, or crusty surface. Seborrheic keratosis typically appears after age 40 and may grow larger and in greater number as people get older.
What Causes Seborrheic Keratosis?
It is unknown why seborrheic keratoses develop. Some doctors believe sun exposure plays a role in their development, but this has not been proven.
Signs and Symptoms of Seborrheic Keratoses
Seborrheic keratoses often appear on the head, neck, chest, back and shoulders. The growths usually range in size from very small to more than 1 inch across. Sometimes they are flat; other times they are slightly raised above the skin’s surface. They may be waxy or greasy with a scale that rubs off easily. They may be rough or smooth and may vary in color from light tan to brown or black