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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
An actinic keratosis is a skin lesion that appears as a rough, scaly patch on your face, lips, ears, back of your hands, forearms, scalp and neck. The cause is frequent or intense exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, typically from the sun.
An actinic keratosis, also known as solar keratosis, enlarges slowly and usually causes no signs or symptoms other than a patch or small spot on your skin. An actinic keratosis takes years to develop, usually first appearing in older adults. Many doctors consider an actinic keratosis to be precancerous because it can develop into skin cancer.
You can reduce your risk of actinic keratosis by minimizing your sun exposure and protecting your skin from UV rays.
- Jorizzo J, et al. Actinic keratosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 22, 2008.
- Actinic keratoses. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/sun_actinic.html. Accessed Nov. 6, 2008.
- McIntyre WJ, et al. Treatment options for actinic keratoses. American Family Physician. 2007;76:667.
- Habif TP. Premalignant and malignant nonmelanoma skin tumors. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/109438622-3/768950956/1195/158.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01319-8..50023-6--cesec43_2631. Accessed Nov. 6, 2008.
- Duncan KO, et al. Epithelial precancerous lesions. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2981344. Accessed Nov. 6, 2008.
- Sunscreens/sunblocks. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/sun_sunscreens.html. Accessed Nov. 6, 2008.
