Actinic keratosis

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Actinic keratosis - close-up	Actinic keratosis - ear	Actinic keratosis on the arm	Actinic keratosis on the forearms
Actinic keratosis on the scalp

Solar keratosis; Sun-induced skin changes - keratosis; Keratosis - actinic (solar)

• Rough and dry textured skin lesion
• A macule, patch, or growth on the skin
  • Limited to a discrete area (localized)
  • Located on the face, scalp, back of the hands, chest or other sun-exposed areas
  • Gray, pink, red (erythematous), or the same color as the skin
  • Initially flat and scaly on the surface, becoming slightly raised
  • Becoming hard and wart-like or gritty, rough, and "sandpapery" -- may develop a horn-like texture from overgrowth of skin keratin layer (hyperkeratosis)

The health care provider bases the diagnosis on the appearance of the skin growth. A skin biopsy could reveal signs of cancerous changes, if present.

Review Date: 10/17/2006
Reviewed By: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.