Actinic Keratosis

Actinic Keratosis is a common skin condition, often called sun spots or age spots. Patients may have marks on the skin in areas that have been exposed to sunlight for a long time, such as the scalp, face, mouth, neck, arms or hands. These marks may be scaly, rough, dry and may appear in various colors, such as brown, pink, gray or tan. This disorder is often caused by abnormal growth of keratinocyte skin cells. If left untreated, it can lead to squamous cell skin cancer, but the chances are low.

Symptoms of Actinic Keratosis

Most people with actinic keratosis develop skin lesions on their scalp, face, mouth, ears, neck, lower arms, and hands. These lesions may be thick, scaly, or raised, and are usually about the size of a pencil eraser. They can vary in color, including pink, brown, red, or even the same color as normal skin. They may not be visible to people , but they may feel rough or dry to the touch , and the area may feel itchy or burning. Some people may also develop cracked and dry lips after sun exposure, especially the lower lip.

Causes of Actinic Keratosis

The main cause of Actinic Keratosis is from excessive or regular exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight or artificial light from tanning beds. This causes chemical changes in the keratinocytes in skin cells. These chemicals are responsible for producing the protein keratin that helps build tissue in hair, nails and the outer layer of skin. These changes affect the size, shape or function of the keratinocytes.

The following groups of people may be at higher risk of developing freckles than the general population:

• People aged 60 years and over, or middle-aged people whose skin has been damaged by sunlight for many years.
• People with fair skin and blue, green or light-colored eyes.
• People with red or blonde hair
• People who are exposed to the sun regularly or live in areas with very hot sunlight.
• People who are prone to sunburn or have had sunburn before.
• People with weakened immune systems due to illness, medications used for organ transplants, immunotherapy, HPV infection or AIDS, leukemia, or a history of skin canceror sunburn.

Diagnosis of Actinic Keratosis

When visiting a doctor, the doctor may examine the skin to see if the patient has actinic keratosis, especially if suspicious signs are found, such as bumps or spots on the skin that do not go away and are unusual in shape, size, or color, as well as other symptoms, such as acne that does not go away or skin problems that bleed easily. The doctor may cut a piece of tissue from that area and send it to the laboratory to see if it is squamous cell skin cancer. However, a biopsy is the only way to know if a patient is at risk of this type of skin cancer. People who are at risk of developing skin disorders should see a doctor regularly.

Actinic Keratosis Treatment

Treatment for this condition depends on the location, number, size, or severity of the abnormalities. In some cases, more than one treatment method may be required, and treatment is most effective if the abnormalities are detected early and treated at an early stage.

Treatment of Actinic Keratosis may be as follows:

• Topical medications: Your doctor may prescribe a cream or gel, such as fluorouracil, imiquimod, engenol mebutate, or diclofenac. However, these medications can cause redness, burning, or scaling of the skin for 2-3 weeks.
• Photodynamic Therapy ( PDT ) involves applying a solution to the affected area and then using a high-intensity laser light to target and destroy skin cells in the area to be treated.
• Laser skin resurfacingis a skin treatment procedure that improves the condition of the skin using a laser beam. The laser beam is directed at the affected area and peels away the skin layer by layer.
• Electrocautery is a procedure that uses heat from an electric current to reduce abnormal skin marks.
• Chemical or heat cautery involves applying an electric current or chemical to the affected area to destroy the affected skin cells.
• Cryosurgery or cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue, causing the scar to scab over and fall off within 2-3 days after treatment.
• Dermabrasion is the process of hardening the skin and using special medical instruments to rub away the scarred skin.
• Skin nodule excision: Your doctor may cut away the tissue around the skin or beneath the skin if skin cancer is suspected. The wound may be stitched or not, depending on the size of the wound.

In addition, after treatment, the doctor may recommend that the patient undergo a skin examination at least once a year to monitor for signs of skin cancer.

Complications of Actinic Keratosis

If Actinic Keratosis is not treated, a person may develop Squamous Cell Skin Cancer , which can be cured if the disease is detected in its early stages. Therefore, if a person has a rash or bump on the skin that is hard, red, inflamed, ulcerated , grows larger, does not seem to be getting better, has an unusual color, shape or texture , or bleeds, they should see a doctor immediately.

Prevention of Actinic Keratosis

The best way to prevent Actinic Keratosis is to avoid sun exposure, which can reduce the risk of developing sunspots and skin cancer. You can prevent sunspots, as well as the growth or recurrence of sunspot patches, by :

• Avoid sunlight and being outdoors, especially during the hot sun around 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Also, avoid being in the sunfor long periods of time that can burn your skin. You should also not sunbathe or use tanning beds. However, you can use products that have been certified safe to change your skin color to a tan.
• Protect your skin with appropriate clothing. If you have to be out in the hot sun, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants made of thick fabric, or wear clothing specially designed to protect from the sun. Also, wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your skin from the sun, which will provide better protection than a baseball cap or golf hat.
• Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher at least 30 minutes before going outdoors. You should use a broad-spectrum sunscreenbecause it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Regular application of sunscreen can help reduce the occurrence of Actinic Keratosis. Apply the cream all over the skin areas that have been exposed to the sun, reapplying every two hours and more frequently when swimming or sweating. You should also use a lip balm that contains sunscreen.
• Observe any abnormalities on your skin and see a doctor. You should observe any abnormalities on your skin and body using a mirror to examine the skin on your scalp, face, ears, neck, upper and lower arms or hands. Also, observe if moles, freckles , bumps, or birthmarks change or if new skin develops. See a doctor immediately if you are concerned about any abnormalities in any area of ​​your skin.