Keratoses - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Keratoses are known as the early beginnings of skin cancer. This most common lesion of the outermost layer of the skin is caused by long-term exposure to sunlight (specifically to ultraviolet wavelengths). These lesions typically range in color from skin-toned to reddish brown and in size from that of a pinhead to larger than a quarter. Occasionally, a lesion grows to resemble an animal horn and is called a “cutaneous horn. It is important that anyone with keratoses be under a dermatologist's care. Keratoses are considered the earliest stage in the development of skin cancer and have the potential to progress to squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer that can be fatal. Keratoses is a hardening of the skin in response to, most often, sun and heat exposure. The skin in the areas that are frequently exposed to radiant energy, such as the face and the back of the hands, become calloused. Skin that thickens, raises, and darkens in colour are called Seborrheic keratoses. Genetic predisposition is the main cause and typically worsens with age, however it can also be caused by fluctuations in hormones. Sometimes, instances of seborrheic keratoses can become itchy, crack and bleed. Keratosis pilaris is a discolouration of the skin in the affected area that is accompanied by roughness or bumpiness. In most cases, Keratosis pilaris appears on the cheeks, upper arms and thighs. In dry weather, the area may become itchy. Treatment is not needed unless the keratoses become irritated or itchy or are cosmetically undesirable. They are best removed by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. Laser removal is also effective. Alternatively, a doctor can cut them out with a scissors, scalpel, or other sharp instrument.

Keratoses is a small crusty, scaly, or crumbly bump or horn that arises on the skin surface. It occur most frequently in fair-skinned people. It is most likely to appear on the face, scalp, back of the neck, upper chest, forearm and back of the hand. Keratoses are formed in the epidermis. They are also known as Solar Keratoses. They are usually reddish in color and often have a white scale on top. It is a precancerous skin growth that occurs on sun-damaged skin often looks like a red scaly patch and feels like "sandpaper". Seborrheic keratoses vary in size and grow slowly. They may be round or oval; flesh-colored, brown, or black. They usually appear “stuck on” and may have a verrucous, velvety, waxy, scaling, or crusted surface. Diagnosis is clinical. They are not premalignant and need no treatment unless they are irritated, itchy, or cosmetically bothersome. Lesions may be removed with little or no scarring by cryotherapy (but beware risk of hypopigmentation) or by curettage after local injection of lidocaine

Causes of keratoses

Common Causes of keratoses :

The tendency to develop seborrheic keratoses is inherited.
Seborrheic keratoses are harmless and almost never become malignant.
Seborrheic keratoses begin as slightly raised, light brown spots. Gradually they thicken and take on a rough, wartlike surface. They slowly darken and may turn black. These color changes are harmless.
Keratosis can also emerge from exposure to cancer-causing substances (carcinogenic substances) such as arsenic, X-ray radiation.
Age, is also the main cause of it. Peoples, who are older than 45 are easily affected by it.
The immune system suppression, is also the main cause of keratosis.
Ionizing radiation such as radiotherapy may also increase of skin cancers.
Mostly seen in pale-skinned, fair-haired, light-eyed people due to their sensitivity to the sunlight.

Symptoms of keratoses

Signs and symptoms of keratoses may include:

Scaly patches.
Red and irritated skin
pink to red to brown.
Yellow to brown colored papules.
Small and raised warts.

Treatment of keratoses

Some medicated creams and solutions are useful in removing keratoses , when the lesions are numerous.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can also be used to treat multiple keratoses. In this treatment, topical 5-aminolevulinic acid accumulates preferentially in the dysplastic cells. Patients experience pain in the areas treated.
The treatment with CO2 laser, is suitable in destroying unwanted growth of skin.
Liquid nitrogen ( Cryosurgery ): Treatment is done by freezing the affected tissue with liquid nitrogen with a special spray device or with cotton piece.
The skin lesions can be treated with topical 5-fluorouracil . This medication is applied twice daily for a period of 3-4 weeks for facial lesions.
Patient administered cream that triggers an immune response.
In this medicines are applied topically followed by a special light.

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