SEBORRHEIC KERATOSIS
Seborrheic keratosis is a common, harmless skin growth that usually appears in middle aged or older adults. Often called the “barnacles of aging,” these growths can look wart like or resemble brown candle wax spots. They range in color from white to black, though most are tan or brown, and can appear anywhere except the palms and soles, commonly on the chest, back, head, or neck.
People with fair skin or a family history of seborrheic keratoses are more likely to develop them, though they can also occur in those with darker skin, typically near the eyes. The number of growths usually increases with age.
The exact cause of seborrheic keratoses remains unknown, but several factors are associated with their development:
- Seborrheic keratoses often run in families, suggesting a hereditary predisposition.
- Seborrheic keratoses are not contagious. While it may appear that these growths are spreading to other areas, new lesions develop on normal skin over time and are not caused by the spread of existing lesions.
Treatments for Seborrheic Keratosis
Cryosurgery is a common dermatologic procedure that uses liquid nitrogen to freeze targeted areas of the skin. The level of freezing determines the effect: light freezing causes peeling, moderate freezing can create blistering, and deep freezing may lead to scabbing. Cryosurgery is primarily used to treat warts, seborrheic keratoses, actinic keratoses, small benign growths, and certain types of skin cancers.
Electrodesiccation and curettage involves scraping or burning off skin growths. This method is often used for less severe skin cancers, precancerous lesions, and benign growths. The procedure begins with a local anesthetic, followed by scraping the abnormal tissue with a specialized tool. The area is then cauterized to stop bleeding. If the growth is cancerous, the process may be repeated. The wound is dressed until healed, sometimes leaving a small white mark.
Electrocautery uses heat generated by an electric current to remove abnormal tissue such as tumors or lesions. It can also help control bleeding during surgery or after injury. An electrode is placed on or near the tissue, allowing the electric current to heat the tip and burn or eradicate the targeted area. This technique, a form of electrosurgery, is also referred to as electrocoagulation, electrofulguration, or fulguration.