Actinic keratosis is a precancerous lesion that is will appear as rough patches on the skin. It usually appears on the face, head, neck, and arms. It is mainly caused by excessive UV exposure.

If actinic keratosis is left untreated, the patches begin to grow. This is a very slow process. For this reason, actinic keratosis is usually diagnosed in older adults rather than younger individuals.

It is very important to deal with actinic keratosis as soon as possible. If it does go untreated, there is a high possibility of developing skin cancer.

Steps to Prevent Actinic Keratosis

If you want to keep from developing this type of skin lesion, you have to limit your exposure to the sun. Avoid using tan-accelerating products or tanning beds. And when you go outside remember to use sunblock with an SPF of at least 30.

Once you've applied remember that you have to reapply your sunblock lotion frequently or it can't protect your skin. Also, remember to wear protective clothing such as wide brimmed hats and long sleeved shirts. Here is a list of the main actinic keratosis symptoms to look for:

Keep an Eye Out for These Symptoms to Look For

Actinic keratosis skin is commonly characterized by the appearance of dry or scaly patches of skin. These lesions can either be totally flat or slightly raised. They can even range in color from pink to red to brown.

The lesions are not very large. In fact, they are usually less than an inch in diameter. These patches may be accompanied by a burning or itching sensation.

Actinic keratosis lesions will go away if you stop exposing your skin to the sun, but once you go back out, they will quickly reappear. Some people think that removing the dry patch of skin will also help eliminate the actinic keratosis, but this isn't true.

Learn How to Treat Actinic Keratosis

The first thing you must do is reduce your exposure to the sun as soon as possible. Once you've reduced your exposure, decide which treatment option is ideal for your actinic keratosis. There are several options to deal with this type of lesions.

Dermabrasion and chemical peels are medical treatments that are used to help remove the outer most layers of skin. These treatments are usually used to treat signs of premature aging such as wrinkles and age spots, however, they can also be used to help remove the layers of the skin that are affected by actinic keratosis lesions.

Another treatment option may also include the use of topical chemotherapy drugs. Your doctor may even prescribe drugs that can help your immune system reject precancerous growths.