Overview Actinic keratosis (also called solar keratosis senile keratosis or AK) may sound like a rare exotic disease but in fact by the time they are elderly almost all Caucasians will have it to some degree - especially if they have spent a lot of time outdoors. AK is a pre-cancerous condition that is common in fair-skinned people who are frequently exposed to the sun. About 10% of people with actinic keratosis eventually develop skin cancer. Symptoms Actinic keratosis develops slowly throughout one's life. For years the only symptom will be small spots on the skin. Eventually however you may notice thick scaly patches on the top layer of the skin and/or lesions on parts of your body that have been regularly exposed to the sun. These lesions or 'patches' are usually not much larger than a quarter. They may be flesh-coloured or pink possibly even red or brown. Overtime they will develop a hard surface. Always tell your doctor if you have a lesion that appears to be getting larger or one that bleeds. Causes Actinic keratosis is caused by long term exposure to the sun's ultraviolet light. Over the years UV rays damage the upper layer of the skin and lesions form. You are more likely to develop AK if you spend a lot of time in the sun without adequate protection. People who have fair skin that doesn't tan and burns easily are especially at risk as are those with blonde or red hair blue green or gray eyes - all signs that the skin has insufficient protective pigment. Treatment There are a variety of treatments for this condition including: - Cryosurgery in which liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the lesions off.
- Electrocautery in which the lesions are burned off.
- Chemical peels that use acids to remove the lesions.
- Medicinal creams such as 5-fluorouracil is applied to the affected areas over a period of 2 to 4 weeks. The skin will become inflamed even raw but this is a sign the treatment is working.
Your doctor will want you to return for regular follow-up checks to make sure new patches have not developed and that old ones haven't become thicker. Prevention Preventative measures are similar to those for skin cancer: The Canadian Dermatology Association and the Canadian Cancer Society recommend that you: Reduce sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The sun's rays are at their strongest between these hours. It's easy to remember - during these hours your shadow is shorter than you are. If you can plan your outdoor activities before 11 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Seek shade or create your own shade. When you are outside - especially between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. - try to stay in the shade. Be prepared for places without any shade by taking along an umbrella. With an umbrella you can create shade wherever you need it. SLIP! on clothing to cover your arms and legs. Covering your skin will protect it from the sun. Choose clothing that is: loose fitting; tightly woven; and lightweight. SLAP! on a wide-brimmed hat. Most skin cancers occur on the face and neck. This area needs extra protection. Wear a hat with a wide brim that covers your head face ears and neck. Hats without a wide brim like baseball caps do not give you enough protection. SLOP! on a sunscreen with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 15 or higher - SPF 30 if you work outdoors or if you will be outside for most of the day. Look for '"broad spectrum'" on the label. This means that the sunscreen offers protection against two types of ultraviolet rays UVA and UVB. Apply sunscreen generously 20 minutes before outdoor activities. Reapply often - at least every 2 hours (and after swimming or exercise that makes you perspire). No sunscreen can absorb all of the sun's rays. Use sunscreen along with shade clothing and hats - not instead of them. Use sunscreen as a backup in your sun protection plan. Keep babies under one year out of the direct sun. Babies need extra protection because their skin is very sensitive. Keep your child's stroller playpen or carriage in the shade. Tanning salons and sunlamps are not a safe way to tan. Tanning salons do not give you a "safe tan without burning". No tan is a safe tan. A tan is evidence of sun damage. | 