Solar keratoses
Outlook
Actinic keratoses that have been treated usually go away, but it islikely that more patches will develop, requiring further treatment.
The development of actinic keratoses is a sign that the underlying skin is damaged from many years of sun exposure, and this cannot be reversed. It means you have ahigher than average risk of developing skin cancer.
However, theexact chancesofactinic keratoses developing into skin cancerare not clear. Some research has suggested the chances of a patch becoming cancerous areless than1 in 1,000 every year, whereas other studies suggest the overall chances ofactinic keratoses becoming cancerous may beas high as 1 in 10.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Actinic keratoses, also known as solar keratoses, are dry scaly patches of skin caused by damage from years of sun exposure.
Who is affected
Actinic keratoses are most commonly seenin fair-skinned people, especially those with blue eyes, red hair, freckles and a tendency to burn easily in the sun.Men are affected more often than women. Pe
Diagnosing actinic keratoses
Your GP may be able to diagnose actinic keratoses by examining the patches on your skin. In some cases, the diagnosis may need to be confirmed byremovingasmall sample of skin and examining it under t
Treatment options
If the patches are not troublesome, yourdoctor may simply recommend that you keep an eye on them and come back if they change in any way for example,if you developnew symptoms such as a patch growing
Self-help
It is important to protect your skin from the sun if you have actinic keratoses. This can reduce the risk offurther patches developing and may help reduce the number of patches you already have. To p
Outlook
Actinic keratoses that have been treated usually go away, but it islikely that more patches will develop, requiring further treatment. The development of actinic keratoses is a sign that the underlyi
Subscribe
Ask the doctor
Rate this article
Find products