Actinic keratosis (solar keratosis)

Do you have rough, red spots on your skin? It could be actinic keratosis, a common sun damage.

Read on to learn about symptoms, treatment and prevention with Dr. Dropin.

What is actinic keratosis?

Actinic keratosis, also known as solar keratosis, is a skin condition that occurs due to prolonged sun exposure.

It appears as rough, scaly patches on the skin, often in areas that are exposed to a lot of sun, such as the face, scalp, ears, neck, forearms and hands.

These spots can vary in colour, from skin-coloured to pink, red or brown. Although actinic keratosis is usually harmless, in some cases it can develop into squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer.

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Symptoms of actinic keratosis

Rough, dry or scaly patches on the skin
The skin feels like sandpaper when you touch it
The spots can be skin colored, pink, red or brown
Sometimes there may be itching, burning or tenderness

Actinic keratosis usually occurs in areas that have been exposed to a lot of sun over time. People with fair skin, red hair and freckles are at higher risk of developing the condition. Age is also a risk factor, as actinic keratosis is more common in older people.

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Actinic keratosis and skin cancer

✔️ Actinic keratosis can develop into skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma), although this is rare.
✔️ 60% of squamous cell carcinoma originates from actinic keratosis.
✔️ 0.25% annual risk of a single spot developing into cancer.
✔️ The risk increases with the number of spots and how long they have been present.
✔️ 25% of early spots can disappear with good sun protection.
✔️ Early diagnosis and treatment is important.

Treatment of actinic keratosis with Dr. Dropin

At Dr. Dropin, we offer several effective treatment methods for actinic keratosis, including:

Imiquimod cream: A cream that stimulates the immune system to fight the abnormal cells.
Freezing treatment: The stains are frozen away with liquid nitrogen.
PDT treatment (photodynamic therapy): A light treatment that destroys the abnormal cells.

Our experienced dermatologists will assess your condition and recommend the best treatment method for you.

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Prevention of actinic keratosis

The best way to prevent actinic keratosis is to protect the skin from the sun:

Use sunscreen with a high factor (at least factor 30) every day, even when it's cloudy.
Avoid the sun in the middle of the day when the UV radiation is strongest.
Wear protective clothing, such as hats and long-sleeved shirts.
Seek shade whenever possible.
See a dermatologist regularly for check-ups, especially if you are in the risk group.

This is how Dr. Dropin can help you

At Dr.Dropin, you can visit experienced dermatologists who can diagnose and treat all skin disorders. Dr.Dropin is committed to providing excellent dermatology services at a fixed and predictable price, with short waiting times.

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