| actinic keratosis (AK), also known as a solar | | | | the ears, whereas women's hairstyles often |
| keratosis, is a small, rough spot occurring on skin | | | | protect this area. |
| that has been chronically exposed to the sun. | | | | Treatment of Actinic Keratosis |
| Actinic keratoses generally measure in size | | | | Freezing (cryotherapy). An extremely cold |
| between 2 to 6 millimeters in diameter (between | | | | substance, such as liquid nitrogen, is applied to skin |
| the size of a pencil point to that of an eraser). | | | | lesions. The substance freezes the skin surface, |
| They are usually reddish in color and often have a | | | | causing blistering or peeling. As your skin heals, the |
| white scale on top. | | | | lesions slough off, allowing new skin to appear. |
| Causes of Actinic Keratosis | | | | This is the most common treatment, takes only a |
| * Repeated, prolonged sun exposure causes skin | | | | few minutes, and can be performed in your |
| damage which may develop into a solar keratosis. | | | | doctor's office. |
| * The sun damage responsible for a solar | | | | Creams or ointments. Some topical medications |
| keratosis usually occurred years before the lesion | | | | contain fluorouracil, a chemotherapy drug. The |
| forms | | | | medication destroys actinic keratosis cells by |
| * A history of frequent or intense sun exposure | | | | blocking essential cellular functions within them. |
| or sunburn | | | | Chemical peeling. This involves applying one or |
| * Pale skin | | | | more chemical solutions — trichloroacetic acid |
| * Blond or red hair, especially when coupled with | | | | (TCA), for example — to the lesions. The |
| blue, hazel or green eyes | | | | chemicals cause your skin to blister and eventually |
| * A tendency to freckle or burn when exposed | | | | peel, allowing new skin to form. This procedure |
| to sunlight | | | | may not be covered by insurance, because it's |
| * A weak immune system as a result of | | | | considered cosmetic. |
| chemotherapy, AIDS or an organ transplant | | | | Solar keratoses can be removed by surgery or |
| * Common locations for actinic keratoses are the | | | | by freezing with Liquid nitrogen. |
| face, scalp, back of the neck, upper chest, as well | | | | When there are many keratoses, a useful |
| as the tops of the hands and forearms. | | | | treatment is 5-FU (5-fluorouracil) cream. |
| * Men are more likely to develop AKs on top of | | | | |