Actinic keratosis is a skin condition that may seem benign - especially when compared to its closest relative, seborrheic keratosis - but this condition can quickly develop into skin cancer if not detected early. We advise our patients to get an actinic keratosis lesion tested and diagnosed immediately, especially if there are multiple actinic keratoses in the area.
This skin lesion doesn't just make the affected area look ugly - while not a guarantee, it can quickly develop into a precancerous lesion if you don't get treatment. As it can quickly develop in damaged skin cells, it's important to get started on the different treatment options you have to remove the damaged cells and heal the damaged skin.
A patient with actinic keratosis may not always know that they have this skin condition until it's too late. While it's easy to think that it's just a cosmetic concern that simply detracts from your appearance, actinic keratosis can develop into extremely difficult to manage skin conditions if left untreated.
In particular, actinic keratosis can turn into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. But while this type of skin cancer rarely spreads to other parts of your body, the affected skin needs to be treated as soon as possible to avoid any serious symptoms or complications from happening.
At Dermatology & Skin Health, we offer world-class services done by award-winning doctors who have proven their knowledge and skills in this field. Start your journey towards achieving your best skin by contacting us today.
While actinic keratosis can affect anyone, there are some factors that will make you more likely to develop this skin condition:
If you have fair skin, you're far more likely to develop actinic keratosis. Since these skin conditions are triggered by how much melanin you have in your skin - the pigment that gives it color - the lighter your skin tone is, the more you're at risk.
UV radiation from sun exposure is one of the leading causes of damaged skin, with the damaged cells malfunctioning and turning into skin growths. If you've had a lot of unprotected sun exposure and receive sun damage from your environment, you're more likely to get actinic keratosis.
A patient who's undergoing immunotherapy treatment for cancer or who has a compromised immune system can also develop actinic keratosis. This is because the normal processes that get rid of mutated skin cells malfunction, which allows them to develop and spread on your skin.
Once you've had a proper skin biopsy and an official diagnosis for your actinic keratosis, there are several different treatments that your dermatologist may use to remove the skin growth:
Depending on the severity of your actinic keratosis, your provider may recommend one or more treatments to manage your symptoms. In some cases, a combination of treatments may be required.
At Dermatology & Skin Health, our excellent dermatology services are guaranteed to be safe and effective, performed by the top doctors in their respective fields. Treat your skin problems by contacting us today.
Dermatology and Skin Health has a long history of working closely with our clients to provide them the best experience and care. For long-term concerns like skin health, it's important for us to establish ourselves as a reliable healthcare partner for your treatments.
A: Topical therapy like fluorouracil, ingenol mebutate, and diclofenac have all shown efficient results at treating outbreaks of actinic keratosis. However, we advise all patients to still go in-clinic to get a proper diagnosis and checkup, and to only use topical medication on the prescription of a medical provider.
A: How your treatments will go will generally depend on the procedure your provider will use to remove your actinic keratoses. However, one thing you can expect is a thorough consultation and monitoring before and after your treatments to ensure that no adverse complications happen.
A: Done properly, medical actinic keratosis removal has high success rates and patient satisfaction. You may need to use a topical treatment or topical cream to help your skin heal faster after your procedure, but your downtime shouldn’t last very long. For more information, consult your provider.
A: Actinic keratosis may be completely gone from the affected area anywhere from a few weeks to a few months after your treatment. To make sure that your particular treatment option has worked, we advise that you go for regular checkups to get a clearer idea of your condition.
A: Actinic keratosis removal is classified as a medical treatment and is covered by Medicare and most insurance companies. However, any products that you may take after the treatment like topical medication can be subject to the terms and conditions of your insurance plan, and may not be automatically covered.
If you have any questions about actinic keratosis, seborrheic keratosis, or the best treatment options for your skin health, schedule a consultation with us today. We have a variety of treatments and services that can help you look and feel like yourself again. To get started, schedule your consultation online, or give us a call at (603) 742-5556 (Dover & Newington), (978) 525-0100 (Peabody), (603) 965-3551 (Londonderry), (603) 742-5556 (Bedford).
At Dermatology & Skin Health, we offer world-class services done by award-winning doctors who have proven their knowledge and skills in this field. Start your journey towards achieving your best skin by contacting us today.
Skin conditions should never be shrugged off as something minor, especially since the skin is one of the first lines of defense of your body against diseases. Allow us to handle your skin condition such as the following before it gets worse:
If your desired appointment type or preferred provider is unavailable online, kindly call (978) 525-0100 for Peabody, MA and (603) 742-5556 for all New Hampshire locations. Alternatively please feel free to send us your request via the patient portal, or via email at info@dermskinhealth.com
*For medical dermatology appointments in MA please dial (978) 525-0100 or fill out the appointment request form above.
