Actinic Keratosis: The Rough Patch Worth Showing a Doctor

Sometimes you run a hand over your face and feel a small, rough patch.

It looks like dry skin, sometimes slightly reddish, and you put moisturizer on it.

But no matter how much you moisturize, the rough texture doesn't go away.

In some cases, it's a condition called actinic keratosis.

What is actinic keratosis?

It's a skin change usually caused by cumulative ultraviolet exposure from the sun or tanning beds.

The lesions show up mainly on sun-exposed areas, such as the face, scalp, ears, hands, and arms.

They can look like reddish, brown, or skin-colored patches, and sometimes you can feel them before you can see them.

Why is it important to know about this condition?

Because actinic keratosis is considered a precancerous lesion.

Some lesions can develop over time into squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer.

There's no way to know for sure which lesion will progress and which won't, so it's important to get it checked and get appropriate medical advice.

Can moisturizer help?

Moisturizer can soften dry skin, but it isn't enough to treat actinic keratosis.

If a rough patch doesn't go away, keeps coming back, bleeds, or grows, it's important to see a dermatologist.

What treatments are available?

A dermatologist may recommend freezing with liquid nitrogen, a topical medication, photodynamic therapy, or another option.

Which treatment is right depends on how many lesions there are, where they are, and the condition of your skin.

What can you do to lower your risk?

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.

Avoid prolonged sun exposure when the sun is strongest.

Wear a hat and protective clothing, and seek shade.

And keep up with skin exams as your doctor recommends.

My daily recommendation

I think this is one of the most important topics in this series of articles.

We're used to thinking about sun damage in terms of wrinkles and spots, but sometimes it's about your skin's health, not just its appearance.

If you have a rough patch that doesn't go away, don't just assume it's ordinary dryness.

Sometimes a quick exam at the dermatologist matters far more than another cream.

Nurit Rozenblat

With love,
Nurit Rozenblat
OrOrgani

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