Actinic Keratosis

Actinic Keratosis

An actinic keratosis is a scaly or crusty bump that forms on the skin surface. They are also known as a solar keratosis. Dermatologists call them "AK's" for short. They range in size from as small as a pinhead to an inch across. They may be light or dark, tan, pink, red, a combination of these, or the same color as ones skin.

The scale or crust is horn-like, dry, and rough, and is often recognized easier by touch rather than sight. Occasionally it itches or produces a pricking or tender sensation, especially after being in the sun. It may disappear only to reappear later. Half of the keratosis will go away on their own if one avoid all sun for a few years.

One often sees several actinic keratoses show up at the same time. A keratosis is most likely to appear on sun exposed areas: face, ears, bald scalp, neck, backs of hands and forearms, and lips. It tends to lie flat against the skin of the head and neck and be elevated on arms and hands.

Why is it dangerous? Actinic keratosis can be the first step in the development of skin cancer, and, therefore, is a precursor of cancer or a precancer. It is estimated that up to 10 percent of active lesions, which are redder and more tender than the rest will take the next step and progress to squamous cell carcinomas.

These cancers are usually not life threatening, provided they are detected and treated in the early stages. However, if this is not done, they can bleed, ulcerate, become infected, or grow large and invade the surrounding tissues and, 3% of the time, will metastasize or spread to the internal organs.