Seborrheic Keratoses (Barnacles of Aging)

Synonym and related keywords - reticulated seborrheic keratosis, barnacles of life, age spots, dermatosis papulosa nigra, SKs, stucco keratoses

What is Seborrheic Keratoses ?

Seborrheic keratoses are benign plaques, beige to brown or even black, 3-20 mm in diameter, with a velvety or warty surface. They appear to be stuck or pasted onto the skin. They are common-especially in the elderly-and may be mistaken for melanomas or other types of cutaneous neoplasms. Although they may be frozen with liquid nitrogen or curetted if they itch or are inflamed, no treatment is needed.

Seborrheic keratoses are non-cancerous growths of the outer layer of skin. There may be just one growth, or many which occur in clusters. Seborrheic keratoses are usually brown in color, but can vary in color from light tan to black. They vary in size from a fraction of an inch in diameter to larger than a half-dollar. A main feature of seborrheic keratoses is their waxy, "pasted-on" or "stuck-on" look. They sometimes look like a dab of warm brown candle wax that has dropped onto the skin.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Seborrheic Keratoses -

We do not know the exact cause of seborrheic keratoses. However, almost everybody will eventually develop at least a few of these growths. They are sometimes referred to as "barnacles of old age." These become more common and more numerous with advancing age.

Some people develop many over time, while others develop only a few. Sometimes seborrheic keratoses may erupt during pregnancy, following estrogen therapy, or in association with other medical problems.

What are the symptoms of Seborrheic Keratoses ?

Seborrheic keratoses are sometimes mistaken for warts, moles, skin tags, or skin cancer. Seborrheic keratoses are most often found on the chest or back, although, they can also be found on the scalp, face, neck, or almost anywhere on the body. They appear less often below the waist. Seborrheic keratoses can grow anywhere on the body, in groups or singly. Since they are not caused by sunlight, they can be found on sun-exposed or covered areas. When they first appear, the growths usually begin one at a time as small, rough, itchy bumps. Eventually, they thicken and develop a rough, warty surface.

How Seborrheic Keratoses is treated?

There is no need to treat seborrheic keratoses. If the spots are irritated, or the patient wants them removed for cosmetic reasons, treatment may include freezing the area with liquid nitrogen or surgery. Most often seborrheic keratoses are treated by one of three methods.

One method is called cryosurgery, or freezing. A very cold liquid called liquid nitrogen is applied to the growth with a cotton swab, or spray gun, to freeze it. Blisters may form under the growth, which then dries into a scablike crust. The keratosis usually falls off within a few weeks. No mark is usually left when it heals. Although occasionally, there may be a small dark or light spot that will usually fade over time.

Another method is called curettage. The growths are removed by "curetting," or scraping them from the surface of the skin. An injection or spray is first used to numb the area before the growth is removed. No stitches are necessary, and bleeding is very limited. It can be controlled by applying pressure or by the application of a blood-clotting chemical.

Electrosurgery is another form of treatment. The growth is first numbed, then burned using an electric current, and scraped off.

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