What does hypertrophic actinic keratosis mean?
Actinic keratosis is a rough, scaly patch or bump on the skin. It’s also known as a solar keratosis. Actinic keratoses are very common, and many people have them. They are caused by ultraviolet (UV) damage to the skin. Some actinic keratoses can turn into squamous cell skin cancer.
Can actinic keratosis ulcerate?
AKs are often more easily felt than seen. Skin may feel dry and rough to the touch, or raw, sensitive and painful, or even itchy with a pricking or burning sensation. Some AKs look and feel inflamed. In rare instances, they may bleed or develop a persistent sore, also known as an ulceration.
What is hypertrophic solar keratosis?
Hypertrophic actinic keratosis, a variant of actinic keratosis, is primarily caused by chronic sun and ultraviolet exposure.
What does actinic keratosis mean in medical terms?
Actinic keratoses are scaly spots or patches on the top layer of skin. With time they may become hard with a wartlike surface. An actinic keratosis (ak-TIN-ik ker-uh-TOE-sis) is a rough, scaly patch on the skin that develops from years of sun exposure.
How can I reduce the risk of actinic keratosis?
A small percentage of actinic keratosis lesions can eventually become skin cancer. You can reduce your risk of actinic keratoses by minimizing your sun exposure and protecting your skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays. The signs and symptoms of an actinic keratosis include:
When does actinic keratosis return after sun exposure?
An actinic keratosis sometimes disappears on its own, but it typically returns after more sun exposure. Because it’s impossible to tell which patches or lesions will develop into skin cancer, actinic keratoses are usually removed as a precaution. If you have several actinic keratoses, you prefer a medication that treats the entire affected area.
What causes actinic keratoses to become squamous cell skin cancer?
They are caused by ultraviolet (UV) damage to the skin. Some actinic keratoses can turn into squamous cell skin cancer. Because of this, the lesions are often called precancer. They are not life-threatening.