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Seborrheic keratosis: causes, symptoms and treatment

Overview

Seborrheic keratosis is a type of noncancerous skin growth. These usually indicate skin aging. They appear gradually in varying numbers, typically on the neck, chest, face, or shoulders. They are easily diagnosed and treated.

What is seborrheic keratosis?

Seborrheic keratosis is also known as basal cell papilloma, or seborrheic warts, senile warts, brown warts, wisdom warts, or barnacles. It is a type of harmless skin tumor and is not cancer. These benign lesions usually appear in large numbers on different parts of the body.

Noncommunicable diseases are prevalent in men and women of all races and usually present in the third or fourth decade of life. These small skin warts are common in people over the age of 60. It is usually rare in adults under the age of 20.

What causes seborrheic keratosis?

The exact cause of the onset of the disease is not known.

Scientifically, it appears that these small skin growths are formed by the differentiation and expansion of epidermal skin cells or keratinocytes. is. They are not associated with potential malignancies.

Viral infections such as human papillomavirus are unlikely to cause keratosis. However, sun exposure, aging, and skin friction are also potential causes of these noncancerous warts.

What are the symptoms of seborrheic keratosis?

Seborrheic keratosis looks like a mole, wart, barnacle, or skin tumor. They appear to be attached to the skin and have a waxy appearance. These skin warts are usually painless, but may be accompanied by skin irritation and itching. and tends to increase in number over time.

The size of the keratosis varies from tiny to 1 inch wide. The physical features of seborrheic keratosis are usually characterized by four aspects:

  • Where: Lesions are usually found on the scalp, shoulders, face, chest, abdomen, or back. They are most commonly found in skin folds, but not on the soles of the feet or palms.
  • Texture: Initially, it appears as small rough bumps. However, it tends to thicken over time and form a warty surface with a waxy, sticky appearance.
  • Shape: The shape of the lesion varies from round to oval. They look like flat papules or raised papules.
  • Color: Skin lesions may appear brown or may be pigmented as yellow, black, or white warts.

Depending on the location of the lesion, it can be very annoying. It is recommended not to scratch the lesion as it can cause bleeding, swelling and even infection.

What are the risk factors associated with seborrheic keratosis?

The risk factors involved in this condition are:

  • Age Factors: Skin lesions often occur in older people. Risk increases with age.
  • Frequent sun exposure: Ultraviolet rays in sunlight cause seborrheic keratosis on exposed parts of the body, such as the neck. Nevertheless, they also appear on parts of the body that are not normally exposed to sunlight.
  • Hereditary: The condition appears to run in families. Therefore, genetic mutations can also cause the development of seborrheic keratosis.

What are the complications of seborrheic keratosis?

Seborrheic keratosis is often mistaken for a skin tumor or cutaneous tumor. melanomaIn very rare cases, the development of exanthematous seborrheic keratosis may indicate visceral malignancy. Sometimes this unusual occurrence was considered a sign of internal cancer. The correlation has not yet been explained or proven and may just be a coincidence.

drug side effects or chemical treatment Also, lesions may occur. Occasionally, inflamed, crusted seborrheic keratosis causes eczematous dermatitis.

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How is seborrheic keratosis diagnosed?

Keratosis can be diagnosed by appearance alone. It can also be easily distinguished from other skin conditions by doing a skin test. biopsy followed by dermoscopy.

When do you want to see a doctor?

Seborrheic keratosis is usually not fatal. However, if you have any doubts, such as the development of a new tumor, a tumor with an unusual texture or color, a change in the appearance of the tumor, or a painful growth, you should consult your doctor. It is always better to be vigilant.

What are the treatments for seborrheic keratosis?

Seborrheic keratosis usually does not require treatment unless it causes physical or emotional discomfort. They are not painful, but if they have a suspicious appearance, the doctor can successfully remove them.

Here’s how to remove it:

  • Cryosurgery: using liquid nitrogen to freeze growth
  • Electrosurgery: application of electrical current to scrape off growths
  • Curettage: A scoop-like surgical instrument (usually electrosurgery) is used to remove skin growths.
  • Focal chemical peel using trichloroacetic acid.
  • excisional laser surgery.

Conclusion

Seborrheic keratosis is a harmless, noncancerous wart or lesion that is usually skin agingThe condition can be treated if desired. However, lesions tend to persist and may occasionally recur spontaneously.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q.1. Why is seborrheic keratosis often confused with cutaneous melanoma?

ANSSeborrheic keratosis presents naturally as moles and waxy warts. Cutaneous melanoma, on the other hand, often has the same shape and texture as harmless skin lesions and warts. However, with proper diagnosis by a doctor, it is possible to distinguish between the two. cutaneous melanoma skin cancer Early treatment is required.

Q.2. How to prevent seborrheic keratosis?

ANSThere is no known way to prevent it. The condition appears to be related to skin aging and genetics.

Q.3. Are there any side effects associated with removal of seborrheic keratosis?

ANSIt is not easy to remove multiple lesions all at once. Loss of skin pigment at the surgical site is also a major concern. In most cases, lesion regrowth does not occur in the same place and can occur in different parts of the body.

https://healthlibrary.askapollo.com/seborrheic-keratosis-causes-symptoms-and-treatment/ Seborrheic keratosis: causes, symptoms and treatment

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