Most people hope to grow old graciously and the smooth blemish free skin they enjoyed ages nicely giving them a nice look. As we age we need to watch our skin. If you notice black or brown spots on your skin you should evaluate how much your skin gets and what care you have shown your kin in the past. Those spot are likely to be examples of actinic keratosis or age spots.
The condition is prevalent to people over the age of 40 years old. They are a product of your skin cells called keratinocytes begin to develop abnormalities that are seen as they dark spots and general discoloration. They usually are found in areas that got excess amounts of sun like the hands, arms, face, scalp, and neck.
There are various possibilities at this stage for these regions. Either they can be localized in one area or they can be spread over a broader area. Then an important thing is what stage they are in. If they are benign then that will be a relief to many with this issue. There a small chance of it developing into something more serve. 10% can develop into a progressed state that’s an invasive form of SCC. SCC is a skin cancer that needs to be treated. In a case where actinic keratosis doesn’t develop there is not really anything to worry about. It does when the situation does develop the legions need to be monitored regularly for treatment to be given at the best time.
The symptoms you should be aware of are primarily hardened legions on the skin. Skin that has become inflamed, red or alternatively is bleeding or the skin has formed ulcers then these are signs that a meeting with a certified dermatologist should be arranged.
A Diagnosis can be performed usually by viewing the affected area but if the spots have progressed without involving a dermatologist for some time then a simple biopsy may be the preferred cause of action to identify the stage the spots are in.
There are six possible treatments that are used to treat the actinic keratoses.
- Cauterization used an electric current to kill the damaged cells
- Cryotherapy uses cryosurgery solution that freezes the cells immediately. This kills the cells. The cells skin forms a scab that eventually will go away with time.
- Chemical peels use a topical treatment like 5-fluoroscopic provides another method to kill the cells, causing them to scab over, allowing for skin to grow a healthy layer.
- Photo-therapy uses a solution that makes the area very sensitive to light. The combination of the solution and light causes the cells to die and reproduce in a healthy way.
- Laser can bring great results to this disease and removes the layer of the damaged skin and allows for the skin to develop in a healthy way.
