Actinic Keratosis

Actinic keratoses are rough, scaly patches of skin caused by long-term sun exposure.

They commonly develop on sun-exposed areas such as the scalp, face, ears and hands.

Actinic keratoses are considered pre-cancerous because a small proportion can develop into squamous cell carcinoma.

Symptoms of Actinic Keratosis

Symptoms may include:

• Rough or sandpaper-like patches
• Dry or scaly skin lesions
• Red, pink or skin-coloured patches
• Tenderness or irritation
• Persistent lesions that do not heal

Who Is Most at Risk?

Risk factors include:

• Fair skin
• Significant sun exposure
• Older age
• Outdoor occupations
• Previous sunburns

Red Flags

Rapid growth, bleeding/ulceration, pain/tenderness, or a raised lump are not usual features of actinic keratosis, and these features should be assessed urgently to rule out skin cancer.

Treatment Options

Treatment may help reduce the risk of progression to skin cancer.

LivingCare provides cryotherapy, topical creams and surgical treatments for selected actinic keratoses.