What is solar Keratosis? Solar keratosis first appears as small tan, brown or reddish-brown patches ranging in size from a few millimetres to a few centimetres in diameter. These have a white scaly top that is rough and gritty to the touch. Left untreated they can grow and multiply, forming large, unsightly areas of skin. The most common sites for solar keratosis are on the face, ears, neck, forearms, hands and - if you have thinning hair - the scalp. What to look for The most common form of sun damage is premature ageing of the skin, such as excessive wrinkling or leathery surface. Although cosmetically unattractive, this is not a sign of cancer, but it is a marker for people at risk of getting cancer. Any individual with prematurely aged skin has probably suffered UV damage to their skin cells. Given enough time, these damaged cells may develop into solar keratosis. Solar keratosis first appears as small tan, brown or reddish-brown patches ranging in size from a few millimetres to a few centimetres in diameter. These have a white scaly top that is rough and gritty to the touch. Left untreated they can grow and multiply, forming large, unsightly areas of skin and have the potential to develop into more serious problems over time. Early treatment is important Fortunately, solar keratosis can be easily treated. If your skin is showing signs of UV damage or you think you may have developed solar keratosis, make an appointment to see your GP. Prompt action now can prevent more serious trouble in the future. Is it dangerous? In most cases, solar keratosis is a benign condition that represents only a cosmetic problem. However, left untreated, it has the potential to develop into more serious skin problems over time. For more information and resources for both healthcare professionals and patients, please visit: Suncare - http://www.dermatology.co.uk/sun/index.asp Information reproduced by kind permission of The Skin Care Campaign. Click here to visit their website |
