Doctor explains Actinic Solar Keratosis | Sun damaged skin - causes, symptoms and treatment
In this video Dr O'Donovan explains key things you need to know about ACTINIC KERATOSIS also known as solar keratosis.
What is an actinic keratosis?
Actinic keratosis (AK), sometimes called solar keratosis or senile keratosis, is a pre-cancerous area of thick, scaly, or crusty skin. These growths are more common in fair-skinned people and those who are frequently in the sun. They are believed to form when skin gets damaged by UV radiation from the sun or indoor tanning beds, usually over the course of decades. Given their pre-cancerous nature, if left untreated, they may turn into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.
How likely is it to progress to cancer?
Untreated lesions have up to a 20% risk of progression to squamous cell carcinoma, so treatment by a dermatologist is recommended.
What are signs and symptoms of solar keratosis?
Actinic keratoses patches can feel dry, rough and scaly, or like sandpaper, are usually between 1cm and 2cm in size, can be the same colour as your skin, or range from pink to red to brown and they may be itchy
Treatment for actinic keratoses
According to the NHS: If you only have 1 actinic keratoses patch, a GP might suggest waiting to see if it goes away by itself. If you have more than 1 patch, or a patch is causing you problems such as pain and itchiness, treatment is usually recommended.
Treatments for actinic keratoses include:
prescription creams and gels including Efudex 5% (5-FU)
freezing the patches (cryotherapy) – this makes the patches turn into blisters and fall off after a few weeks
surgery to cut out or scrape away the patches – you'll be given a local - anaesthetic first, so it does not hurt
photodynamic therapy (PDT), where special cream is applied to the patches and a light is shone on the
Content and timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:15 - What is a solar keratosis (AK)?
00:47 - Causes of Actinic Keratosis
03:00 - Treatment of solar keratosis
Resources and references:
NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/actinic...
My video on how to use Efudex (5-fu): • HOW TO USE EFUDIX 5% CREAM (5-FU / Ef...
Mayo Clinic (USA): https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-c...
If you are concerned about anything related to your health, see your own health provider.
#skin #dermatology #efudex
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