Actinic Keratosis

What is it?

Also known as solar keratosis, this is a condition that develops from a constant, heavy exposure to the sun during a long period of time (years). Eventually a rough, scaly patch in the skin will develop, especially on the body parts that are more exposed to the sun, such as your face, lips, and ears, back of your hands, forearms, scalp or neck. Eventually it can turn into skin cancer. This is why it has to be treated on time so we can prevent it. 

Symptoms. How does it look like?:

They begin as flat and scaly areas.

The color may be gray, pink, red, or the same color as the skin.

Regularly, it has a white or yellow grumpy "scale" on top.

Afterward it develops a hard and wart-like or grainy, rough shell.

It may be easier to feel than see.  

Itching or burning in the affected area

Actinic Keratosis usually disappears by itself but will come out again after another long sun exposure, it can bleed, itch, change size, and even burn.

 As mentioned before, Actinic Keratosis or Keratoses those who develop it tend to be fair-skinned spent a lot of time outdoors at work or play, and those who were exposed to indoor tanning. Throughout the years the skin begins to wrinkled, mottle and discoloring due to the sun exposure.

Actinic Keratoses are precancerous (premalignant), which means that it can turn into skin cancer taking years to develop, though it has less chances to spread out to other body parts it can be very invasive when referring to the density or deepness in skin. 

This can be diagnosed just by looking at it or for more assurance a Biopsy is the procedure to do, since it will confirm whether or not is Actinic Keratoses or in the worst case scenario, skin cancer.

This can be treated even before of being diagnosed over the time, it is only a matter of reducing the sun exposure, when diagnosed there are certain medication usually creams containing fluorouracil such as Efudex or also containing imiquimod commonly known as Aldara which modifies the skin´s immune system stimulating the body´s own refusal to the precancerous cells.  In addition to medication, there are surgical procedures such as cutting away or burning the Actinic Keratosis so the chances of developing Cancer are significantly reduced due to the fact that it is unknown what specific area will be affected.

The Skin

The human skin is the outer covering of the body. In humans, it is the largest organ of the integumentary system. The skin has several layers of ectodermic tissue and guards the primary muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs. Human skin is similar to that of most other mammals, except that it is not protected by a pelt. Though almost all human skin is covered with hair follicles, it appears hairless.

Skin is composed of three primary layers:

• The epidermis, which provides waterproofing and serves as a barrier to infection.
• the dermis, is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain
• The hypodermis is not part of the skin, and lies below the dermis. Its purpose is to attach the skin to underlying bone and muscle as well as supplying it with blood vessels and nerves.

Since this is the most visible part of our body, like the cover page of a book, it is very important to keep it healthy and presentable to ourselves and others. You will find many skin problems that you should treat before it gets any worse.