Solar Keratosis
Diagnosing actinic keratoses
Source: NHS
In this topic (6)
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 the microscope.
Actinic keratoses can often be managed by your GP, but you may need to see a skin specialist (dermatologist) for further assessment if:
- your GP is not certain about your diagnosis
- your GP thinksone or moreof your patches may be cancerous or at a high risk of becoming cancerous
- your patches are particularly severe or widespread
- you are taking immunosuppressant drugs for example, following an organ transplant
- yourpatches have not responded to treatment
Articles for Solar Keratosis
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
Introduction
Actinic keratoses, also known as solar keratoses, are dry scaly patches of skin caused by damage from years of sun exposure.
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
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
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
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