What is Actinic Keratosis?
Actinic keratosis is a precancerous skin condition caused by long-term exposure to UV radiation from the sun. It is most commonly found on areas of the body that receive the most sun exposure, such as the face, hands, and arms. While actinic keratosis is not cancerous, it can sometimes progress to skin cancer if left untreated.
Symptoms of Actinic Keratosis
The symptoms of actinic keratosis are similar to those of solar keratosis and include small, scaly, and slightly raised patches of skin that are rough to the touch. They are usually pink, red, or brown in color and can range in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters. Actinic keratosis is typically painless, but it can sometimes itch or bleed.
Treatment of Actinic Keratosis
Treatment options for actinic keratosis include cryotherapy, topical medications such as imiquimod or 5-fluorouracil, or photodynamic therapy, which involves applying a photosensitizing agent to the lesion and then exposing it to a specific wavelength of light. It is important to treat actinic keratosis promptly to prevent it from progressing to skin cancer.
I offer cryotherapy in my clinic to effectively treat AK’s after a examination to ensure the diagnosis is correct.
Get in touch if you’d like to book.
Lou x