Actinic keratoses (AK), also known as solar keratoses, are rough, scaly patches on the skin caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or tanning beds. They typically develop in sun-exposed areas such as the face, lips, ears, back of the hands, forearms, scalp, or neck.
In the majority of cases, actinic keratoses are benign and settle with treatment. For some patients with a history of lots of sun exposure or immunosuppression (weakened immune system), they will be at higher risk of developing a skin cancer. Some cancers can develop from within actinic keratosis. If a lesion does not heal or becomes painful, bleeding or ulcerated, you should book to see a dermatologist urgently for a consultation.
The most common symptom is a rough, dry, or scaly patch of skin that is often less than an inch in diameter. It may feel like sandpaper and can be easier to feel than see.
The patches may appear red or pink. In some cases, they can be flesh-colored or brown.
The lesions can be flat or slightly raised, often with a rough surface.
The patches may become crusty or have a hard, wart-like surface. The skin can also peel or flake off.
Some people experience itching, burning, or tenderness in the affected area.
When actinic keratosis occurs on the lips, it is called actinic cheilitis. This condition causes the lips, especially the lower lip, to become dry, cracked, scaly, or have white patches.
It is common for multiple lesions to develop at the same time, especially in areas that have had significant sun exposure.
There are several topical treatments that can treat actinic keratoses. They will induce inflammation of and around the lesion to stimulate your immune system to reduce and flake off the abnormal cells. Different treatments will induce varying degrees of redness and discomfort for patients, so during your consultation our Consultant Dermatologist will discuss and agree a treatment option suitable and tolerable for you.
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