What is actinic keratosis?

As you get older, you may begin to notice rough, scaly spots appearing on your hands, arms, or face. These spots are called actinic keratoses, but they’re commonly known as sunspots or老年斑。

Actinic keratoses usually develop in areas that’ve been damaged by years of sun exposure. They form when you have actinic keratosis (AK), which is a very common skin condition.

AK occurs when skin cells called keratinocytes start to grow abnormally, forming scaly, discolored spots. The skin patches can be any of these colors:

  • 棕色的
  • 晒黑
  • gray
  • pink

它们倾向于出现在最大阳光暴露的身体的部位上，包括以下内容：

  • 手
  • 武器
  • face
  • 头皮
  • neck

活化型角膜没有癌等。但是，他们可以进步鳞状细胞癌（SCC）, though the likelihood is low.

When they’re left untreated, up to 10％ Intinic角化器可以进入SCC。SCC是第二种最常见的皮肤癌。由于这种风险，您的医生或皮肤科医生应定期监测斑点。Here are some pictures of SCC and what changes to look out for.

AK主要是由长期暴露在阳光下引起的。如果您有更高的开发此条件的风险更高：

  • are over age 60
  • have light-colored skin and blue eyes
  • 倾向于晒伤
  • 在生活中早些时候有晒伤的历史
  • have been frequently exposed to the sun over your lifetime
  • havehuman papilloma virus (HPV)

光化角质开始厚，鳞片状，皮肤斑块。这些贴片通常是关于小铅笔橡皮擦的尺寸。在受影响的地区可能会出现瘙痒或燃烧。

Over time, the lesions can disappear, enlarge, remain the same, or develop into SCC. There’s no way of knowing which lesions may become cancerous. However, you should have your spots examined by a doctor promptly if you notice any of the following changes:

  • hardening of the lesion
  • inflammation
  • rapid enlargement
  • 出血
  • 发红
  • ulceration

如果有癌症的变化，不要恐慌。SCC相对容易诊断和治疗其早期阶段。

Your doctor may be able to diagnose AK simply by looking at it. They may want to take a skin biopsy of any lesions that look suspicious. A skin活检是唯一的万无一失的方式，判断病变是否已改变为SCC。

AK may be treated in the following ways:

Excision

Excision involves cutting the lesion from the skin. Your doctor may choose to remove extra tissue around or under the lesion if there are concerns about skin cancer. Depending on the size of the incision, stitches may or may not be needed.

腐蚀

In cauterization, the lesion is burned with an electric current. This kills the affected skin cells.

冷冻疗法

冷冻疗法, also calledcryosurgery，是一种处理，其中损伤用冷冻液溶液喷射，例如液氮。接触时，这冻结了细胞并杀死它们。病变将在手术后几天内切断并脱落。

Topical medical therapy

某些局部处理如5-氟尿嘧啶（CARAC，EFUDEX，Fluoroplex，Tolak）引起炎症和破坏病变。其他局部治疗包括咪喹莫德（Aldara，Zyclara）和Ingenol Meufutate（Picoato）。

Phototherapy

  • 期间光疗法，溶液在病变和受影响的皮肤上施用。然后暴露于靶向并杀死细胞的强烈激光光。光疗法中使用的常见溶液包括处方药物，例如氨基乙酸（Levulan Kerastick）和甲基氨纤维素霜（Metvix）。

The best way to prevent AK is to reduce your exposure to sunlight. This will also help minimize your risk of皮肤癌。请记住执行以下操作：

  • 当你在明亮的阳光下时，带有长袖的帽子和衬衫。
  • 避免在午间出门，当太阳最亮时。
  • Avoid tanning beds.
  • 总是使用防晒霜when you’re outside. It’s best to use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) rating of at least 30. It should block both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light.

It’s also a good idea to examine your skin regularly. Look for the development of new skin growths or any changes in all existing:

  • bumps
  • 胎记
  • moles
  • freckles

确保检查这些地方的新皮肤增长或变化：

  • face
  • neck
  • 耳朵
  • the tops and undersides of your arms and hands

Schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible if you have any worrisome spots on your skin. If you don’t already have a dermatologist, you can browse doctors in your area through theHealthline FindCare tool。