Actinic Keratosis
Actinic keratosis, also often called solar keratosis, is a disorder that causes rough, scaly skin due to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun (usually over many years).
Typically, this condition occurs on the face, lips, ears, arms, scalp, neck, or legs. This condition usually occurs in people over the age of 40, but can also occur at a younger age.
A person who experiences this skin disorder is more likely to develop more problems in the future. It can also increase the risk of skin cancer.
This is because actinic keratosis can develop into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a form of the disease that is prone to occurring on the skin and can cause invasive problems.
Actinic Keratosis Symptoms
Actinic keratosis disorders can cause different symptoms and there are many variations related to their appearance. This skin disease most often occurs in areas of the skin that are most exposed to sunlight, such as the face, ears, backs of the hands, feet, and arms. Well, some signs and symptoms that need to be known include:
- The presence of rough, dry and scaly skin areas, usually small in size (less than 2-3 centimeters).
- These skin areas may be flat or slightly raised on the top layer of the skin.
- It can be reddish or brownish in color.
- It may feel itchy or have a burning sensation.
- In some cases, the surface becomes hard like a wart.
- Bleeding skin in the affected area.
- Dry and flaky lips.
- A protruding, horn-like growth of skin that looks similar to an animal’s horn.
- Lip color fades.
- Pain or tenderness in the affected area of skin.
Risk Factors for Actinic Keratosis
Risk factors for actinic keratosis include:
- Over 40 years old.
- Living in an area with high sun exposure.
- Has blonde hair and colored eyes.
- Have a history of this disease or skin cancer.
- Using a tanning bed.
- Undergoing an organ transplant.
- Having albino disorder.
- Having certain conditions, such as Xeroderma pigmentosum, Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, or Bloom syndrome.
Actinic keratosis (solar keratosis) also often affects many people who live in tropical or subtropical areas and have predisposing factors, such as:
- Other signs of premature aging of the skin (photoaging).
- Fair skin with a history of sunburn.
- History of exposure to sunlight too often or too long.
- Having low immunity, such as during chemotherapy therapy, suffering from malignancy, HIV/AIDS, and using drugs that reduce immunity.
Causes of Actinic Keratosis
The cause of actinic keratosis is the development of abnormal skin cells caused by DNA damage due to short-wavelength ultraviolet B (UVB) which is generally from sunlight.
This skin disorder is more likely to occur in someone who has poor immune function due to aging, sun exposure, predisposing diseases, or certain medications.
Diagnosis of Actinic Keratosis
When seeing a dermatologist for an examination related to actinic keratosis, the initial steps taken include:
- Examine the skin carefully and thoroughly.
- Ask questions about your health, medications you are taking, and symptoms you are experiencing.
If you have one or more of these skin conditions, a dermatologist can diagnose it by looking closely at the condition. They can also check for signs of skin cancer. Someone who has skin that is severely damaged by UV rays can develop actinic keratosis or even skin cancer.
In addition, a skin biopsy may be needed to see the condition of the skin tissue under a microscope. If the cause is confirmed, the doctor will recommend more frequent skin examinations and also treatment.
The side effects of this treatment are rough skin, accompanied by redness and swelling. When this happens, see a doctor immediately for further examination.
Actinic Keratosis Treatment
Drug administration and interventional therapy are methods used by doctors to treat actinic keratosis. The doctor will choose a therapy recommendation based on the patient’s complaints and skin condition. Treatment with drugs is generally by using ointments to reduce symptoms.
Meanwhile, interventional therapies that can be carried out include:
- Cryosurgery. This therapy is also called cryotherapy which is done by using liquid nitrogen to freeze skin growths. Usually, this therapy requires a healing time of 7-14 days.
- Curettage and electrosurgery, which involves scraping away abnormal skin growths.
- Shave excision. This procedure is performed to remove the skin growth and examine it for possible malignancy.
- Laser resurfacing. Laser light is fired to destroy the top layer of skin and is expected to grow back normal skin tissue.
- Chemical Peeling. This procedure involves peeling off the unwanted layers of the top layer of skin. In the first few days, the area treated with a chemical peel will be sore and red. As the skin heals, a new, healthy layer of skin will grow.
- Photodynamic therapy. If you have multiple cases of actinic keratosis, or your actinic keratosis has come back after treatment, your doctor may recommend photodynamic therapy. This treatment uses special creams and light therapy to destroy the affected skin cells. However, after treatment, you will need to stay out of the sun for a few days while the treated skin heals.
Please note, that curettage and shave excision carry the risk of causing scars or keloids, so they are not recommended for sufferers who have a history of keloids.
Prevention of Actinic Keratosis
Prevention of actinic keratosis (solar keratosis) can be done by minimizing direct exposure to sunlight.
- Avoid sun exposure between 10 am and 2 pm. Also, avoid being in the sun for long periods of time until you experience sunburn or sun tanning.
- Using sunscreen on all parts of the skin exposed to the sun, including the lips (with lip balm) can also reduce the risk of solar keratosis.
- Choose a sunscreen that contains both UVA and UVB protection. Apply it half an hour before sun exposure, and reapply every 2 hours if you sweat or get wet.
- Wear clothes that cover the body exposed to sunlight. In addition, you also need to use an umbrella is also one simple way to prevent direct ultraviolet exposure to the skin.
- Check your skin regularly. Report any changes to your skin to your doctor. Look for any changes or growths in your skin, such as new moles, spots, lumps, and birthmarks. Check your entire body, including your face, neck, ears, and even your scalp.
Complications of Actinic Keratosis
Actinic keratoses treated early can be cured or removed. However, if left untreated, some of these spots can develop into squamous cell carcinoma, a type of cancer that is usually not life-threatening if caught and treated early.