Actinic keratosis


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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Although anyone can develop actinic keratoses, you may be more likely to develop the condition if you:

  • Are over age 40
  • Live in a sunny climate
  • Have a history of frequent or intense sun exposure or sunburn
  • Have pale skin, red or blond hair, and blue or light-colored eyes
  • Tend to freckle or burn when exposed to sunlight
  • Have a personal history of an actinic keratosis or skin cancer
  • Have a weak immune system as a result of chemotherapy, chronic leukemia, AIDS or organ transplant medications
Complications Causes
References
  1. Jorizzo J, et al. Actinic keratosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 28, 2010.
  2. Actinic keratoses. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/sun_actinic.html. Accessed Oct. 28, 2010.
  3. Shoimer I, et al. Current management of actinic keratoses. Skin Therapy Letter. 2010;15:5.
  4. Habif TP. Premalignant and malignant nonmelanoma skin tumors. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 5th ed. Edinburgh, U.K.; New York, N.Y.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00030-4--s0300&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00030-4--s0300&uniqId=224808926-3#4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00030-4--s0300. Accessed Oct. 28, 2010.
  5. 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://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2981340. Accessed Oct. 28, 2010.
  6. Sunscreens/sunblocks. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/sun_sunscreens.html. Accessed Oct. 28, 2010.
DS00568 Jan. 7, 2011

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