Seborrheic Keratoses - Symptoms and Treatment

Seborrheic keratoses are raised growths on the skin. There may be just one or clusters of dozens. Seborrheic keratoses are non-cancerous growths of the outer layer of skin. A main feature of seborrheic keratoses is their waxy, �pasted-on� or �stuck-on� appearance. They may be oval spots a fraction of an inch across, or form long Christmas tree like patterns on the torso inches long. Seborrheic keratosis is one of the most common types of noncancerous (benign) skin growths in older adults. The growth has a waxy, scaly, slightly elevated appearance. Occasionally, it appears singly, but multiple growths are more common. A seborrheic keratosis usually appears as a brown, black or pale growth on the face, chest, shoulders and back. Typically, seborrheic keratoses don't become cancerous, but they can look like skin cancer. Seborrheic keratoses have a variety of clinical appearances, and they develop from the proliferation of epidermal cells. Seborrheic keratoses are the most common benign tumor in older individuals. The growths resemble flattened or raised warts , but have no viral origins and may exhibit a variety of colors, from pink or yellow through brown and black. A seborrheic keratosis is a benign skin growth that is very common among people over 40 years of age. Usually confused with warts, seborrheic keratoses are non-cancerous growths of the outer layer of the skin. The growths are usually brown, but can vary in color from light tan all the way to black and vary in size as well.

A seborrheic keratosis is a benign growth on skin that is similar in appearance to a wart. Benign lesions that don't ever turn into cancer, seborrheic keratoses, or Seb K's for short, can look dangerous. Also irreverently called barnacles, they come in all different shapes and sizes from large black growths to barely noticeable raised areas. The telltale feature of seborrheic keratoses is that they look like they have been pasted on the skin or just stuck on it. Almost everybody eventually develops at least a few seborrheic keratoses since they tend to become more common and more numerous with age. They may look like a dab of warm brown candle wax that dropped on the skin. They come in different sizes, anywhere from a fraction of an inch to an inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. Although these growths can appear anywhere, they most often appear on the torso and the temples. Seborrheic keratosis is the most common benign skin lesion in the geriatric population and presents with a variety of clinical and histopathologic appearances. The possibility of melanoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis for such lesions. The resulting differential diagnosis is broadened further by the simultaneous occurrence of seborrheic keratosis and a second overlapping benign, in situ or malignant lesion. The look is often compared to brown candle wax that was dropped onto the skin. The consistent feature of seborrheic keratoses is their waxy, pasted-on or stuck-on look. Seborrheic keratoses exhibit histologic evidence of proliferation. A moderate increase is observed in the rates of apoptosis in all varieties of seborrheic keratoses compared to normal skin.

Causes of Seborrheic Keratoses

Common Causes of Seborrheic Keratoses :

• Sun-exposed.
• Non sun-exposed areas.
• Ultra Violet Radiations.
• During pregnancy.

Symptoms of Seborrheic Keratoses

Some common Symptoms of Seborrheic Keratoses :

• May be itchy.
• Are elevated off the skin surface.
• Can be single or multiple growths.
• May have a rough or wart-like texture.
• Usually have a round or oval shape.
• Are typically yellow, tan, brown, or black.
• May have a pasted look, as if a blob of dirt or clay is stuck on the skin.

Treatment of Seborrheic Keratoses

Some common Treatment of Seborrheic Keratoses :

• Ketoconazole po 200 mg QD for 7 to 14 days.
• Ketoconazole cream may be applied topically once or twice daily .
• Avoidance of tinctures (alcoholic solutions), hair tonics, greasy ointments or soap.
• Low potency glucocorticoid creams may be applied topically once or twice daily .
• It is another effective method used for the treatment of barnacles of aging. The growth is first numbed, then burned using an electric current, and scraped off.
• There is no need to treat seborrheic keratoses. The only reason to treat them is because they are ugly or getting caught on your clothing.
• Seborrheic keratoses can be frozen with liquid nitrogen , cut, or burned off with an electric needle. Your doctor will suggest the method that he thinks will best remove your lesion .

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