Treatment of Actinic keratosis

It's not possible to inform precisely that patches or lesions can turn into skin cancer. Therefore, actinic keratoses are sometimes removed as a precaution. Your doctor will talk to you which ones treatment is suitable for you. With most of those procedures, the treated space takes some days to many weeks to heal.

Actinic keratosis treatment choices might include:

• Freezing (cryotherapy). a particularly cold substance, like liquid nitrogen, is applied to skin lesions. The substance freezes the skin surface, inflicting blistering or peeling. As your skin heals, the lesions slough off, permitting new skin to seem. this can be the foremost common treatment, takes solely some minutes and might be performed in your doctor's workplace. aspect effects might embody blisters, scarring, changes to skin texture, infection and darkening of the skin at the positioning of treatment.
• Scraping (curettage). during this procedure, your surgeon uses a tool known as a curet to scrape off broken cells. Scraping is also followed by electrosurgery, during which a pencil-shaped instrument is employed to chop and destroy the affected tissue with an electrical current. This procedure needs a neighborhood anesthetic. aspect effects might embody infection, scarring and changes in skin coloration at the positioning of treatment.
• Creams or ointments. Some topical medications contain fluorouracil (Carac, Fluoroplex, Efudex), a chemotherapy drug. The medication destroys actinic keratosis cells by blocking essential cellular functions inside them. Another treatment possibility is imiquimod (Aldara), a topical cream that modifies the skin's immune system to stimulate your body's own rejection of precancerous cells. Diclofenac gel (Voltaren, Solaraze), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory topical drug, may help, too. aspect effects might embody skin irritation like pain, itching, stinging or burning sensation, crusting, and sensitivity to sun exposure at the positioning of treatment.
• Chemical peeling. This involves applying one or a lot of chemical solutions — trichloroacetic acid (Tri-Chlor), as an example — to the lesions. The chemicals cause your skin to blister and eventually peel, permitting new skin to create. Skin peeling sometimes lasts for 5 to seven days. different aspect effects might embody stinging or burning sensation, redness, crusting, changes in skin coloration, infections and, rarely, scarring. This procedure might not be coated by insurance, as it's typically thought of cosmetic.
• Photodynamic therapy. With this procedure, an agent that creates your broken skin cells sensitive to light-weight (photosensitizing agent) is either injected or applied topically. Your skin is then exposed to intense laser light-weight to destroy the broken skin cells. aspect effects might embody redness, swelling and a burning sensation throughout therapy.
• Laser therapy. A special laser is employed to exactly take away the actinic keratoses and therefore the affected skin beneath. native anesthesia is commonly used to create the procedure more well-off. Some pigment loss and scarring might result from laser therapy.
• Dermabrasion. during this procedure, the affected skin is removed employing a rapidly moving brush. native anesthetic is employed to create the procedure a lot of tolerable. The procedure leaves skin red and raw-looking. It takes many months for the skin to heal, however the new skin usually seems smoother.

Talk to your doctor concerning your treatment choices. The procedures have varied benefits and downsides, as well as aspect effects, risk of scarring, and therefore the range of treatment sessions needed. Afterward you will probably have regular follow-up visits to ascertain for brand new patches or lesions.