Actinic Keratoses of the face

Actinic Keratosis of the Face: All You Need To Know

Actinic keratosis, also known as solar keratosis, is a very common skin disease caused by too much exposure to the sun’s UV rays. It is characterized by scaly or crusty patches that usually appear on the face, lips, scalp, hands, forearms, chest, and neck. Actinic keratosis can affect anyone, but it is particularly common in individuals over the age of 40. If left untreated, this condition can potentially lead to skin cancer.

What does Actinic Keratosis look like?

Actinic keratosis may appear as a rough scaly patch, a bump, a flat lesion, or a wart-like growth. The patches are most commonly found on the face, ears, scalp, neck, forearms, and backs of hands. They can range in color from white and light pink to yellow and gray-brown. Severity of the condition may vary, but the size of the lesion usually ranges from that of a pinhead to 35 mm in diameter.

What Causes Actinic Keratosis?

Actinic keratosis is caused by prolonged sun exposure, whether from short, intense sun exposure or long-term sun exposure. People who live in sunny climates or have outdoor occupations have higher chances of developing actinic keratosis.

Risk Factors for Actinic Keratosis

The following list includes some of the most common risk factors for developing actinic keratosis:

Older age - Actinic keratosis is more common in people over the age of 40
Fair skin – Having fair skin increases your risk of developing actinic keratosis
Frequent sun exposure - Individuals who spend a lot of time outdoors are more likely to develop actinic keratosis
Weakened immune system- If you have HIV/AIDS, use certain medications, or if your body’s immune system is weaken, your risk of developing actinic keratosis is increased

Diagnosis of Actinic Keratosis

Actinic keratosis is usually diagnosed through a physical examination. During the exam, your doctor will look for any signs of abnormal skin growths. Your doctor may take a sample of cells from the suspicious area to confirm the diagnosis and rule out skin cancer. The sample will be sent to the lab for further examination.

Treatment of Actinic Keratosis

The treatment for actinic keratosis varies depending on the size, number, and location of the lesions. The most common treatment options include:

Curettage and Electrodessication - This involves scraping off the affected areas with a curette and applying electrical impulses to the site to stop any remaining cells from growing
Cryosurgery - In this treatment, liquid nitrogen is applied to the affected areas to freeze and remove the lesions
Topical creams/ointments - These medications, which include tazarotene, imiquimod, and 5-fluorouracil, can help reduce the size of the lesions
Photodynamic therapy - This treatment, which involves laser light therapy and a topical medication, is used to destroy the cancerous cells

Prevention of Actinic Keratosis

The best way to prevent actinic keratosis is by avoiding overexposure to the sun’s UV rays. This can be done by:

Using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and protective clothing
Staying out of the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Regularly checking your skin for any changes