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SOLAR KERATOSIS

(other names) (actinic keratoses)

It is usually seen in fair skinned people on the exposed areas of the body.  Years of long standing sun damage causes these lesions.

 lesions.  Fair skinned people who work outdoors or live in tropical countries for long periods, people who have type I skin are prone to develop these lesions.

These are seen as rough warty spots over the exposed areas – face, central chest, neck, the outer aspect of hands and forearms.  The skin in these areas are wrinkled, leathery and rather irregularly discolored.

So I have a few so what

The important point to note is if these are not treated ,may become a skin cancer. (Squamous cell carcinoma)

So as such these are premalignant (can turn into skin cancer) 

So what do I need to do about these

Your doctor will treat these with liquid nitrogen and these after forming a blister these settle down.

Recent treatments include

1.      5 Fluorouarcil cream – This is applied on the warty lesions.  Two methods are advocated.  An intensive daily application on the warty lesions or a twice weekly application.  A slight soreness is usual and treatment should not be skipped.  Since the skin is not affected by 5 flurouracil cream no precautions is required.  However if the area becomes too sore then the treatment will be needed to stop.

2. Retina A cream ^TM 0.05% tretinoin cream is applied every day as a thin film at night.  This is applied to all exposed affected areas not only the warty papules.