In this Article

• What is an actinic keratosis, and what does it look like?
• Who is at risk for an actinic keratosis?
• Where on the body do actinic keratoses typically occur?
• What is the significance of an actinic keratosis?
• How is an actinic keratosis diagnosed?
• How is an actinic keratosis treated?
• What happens after an actinic keratosis is treated?
• Actinic Keratosis At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Actinic Keratosis - Describe Your Experience
• Actinic Keratosis Glossary
• Actinic Keratosis Index

What happens after an actinic keratosis is treated?

Patients who develop actinic keratoses are usually well advised to have a doctor examine them annually. The purpose of these regular checks is to be sure that new lesions have not developed and that old ones are not becoming thicker and more suspicious looking (for cancer). Furthermore, continual avoidance of excessive sun exposure can decrease the risk of recurrences.

Actinic Keratosis At A Glance

• An actinic keratosis is a small, rough spot occurring on skin that has been chronically exposed to the sun.
• Actinic keratosis is also known as a solar keratosis.
• Actinic keratoses occur most commonly in fair-skinned people after years of sun exposure.
• Common locations for actinic keratoses are the face, scalp, back of the neck, upper chest, as well as the tops of the hands and forearms.
• Actinic keratoses are precancerous, which means they can develop into skin cancer.
• Doctors can usually diagnose an actinic keratosis just by examining it.
• The best treatment for an actinic keratoses is prevention by minimizing sun exposure.
• Treatments for actinic keratoses include cryosurgery, cutting or burning, 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, diclofenac, and photodynamic therapy.

Actinic Keratosis - Describe Your Experience

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Please describe your experience with actinic keratosis.

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