KERATOSES, SEBORRHEIC

General Information

DEFINITION--A non-contagious, inflammatory, scaling disease of the skin.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Chest; back; face; arms.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Adults of both sexes. By age 60, almost everyone has a few seborrheic keratoses.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS--

Papules (small, raised bumps) with the following characteristics:

• Papules are flat-topped with well-defined borders.
• Young papules are relatively flat and light brown. More-advanced papules are dark brown or black.
• Papules are wider than tall and they appear "stuck on."
• Papules measure 5mm to 20mm in diameter. They are distributed on the chest, back, face and arms.
• Papules don't itch or hurt.
• There may be only 1 or 2 papules, or there may be up to 100.

CAUSES--Unknown.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Aging.
• Family history of the disorder.
• Excessive sun exposure or other skin injury.

HOW TO PREVENT--No specific preventive measures.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Biopsy (See Glossary).

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care.
• Removal of lesions if they are unsightly, are irritated by clothing or interfere with grooming. Removal methods include cryosurgery, chemocautery, light electrosurgery or shave biopsy (See Glossary for all).

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Seborrheic keratoses on the eyelid borders may require special treatment.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--The number of lesions increases with time. Each lesion is permanent unless removed. Seborrheic keratoses are harmless and require no treatment, but most people want them removed (especially if they are unsightly or irritated by clothing).

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES----After removal, a blister (sometimes with blood) will develop at the treatment site. The top of the blister will come off spontaneously in about 2 weeks. You should have little or no scarring. Wash and use make-up or cosmetics as usual. If clothing irritates the blister, cover it with a small adhesive bandage.

MEDICATION--Medicine usually is not necessary for this disorder.

ACTIVITY--No restrictions.

DIET--No special diet.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of seborrheic keratoses.
• You want unsightly seborrheic keratoses removed.
• Treated areas become infected, as evidenced by pain, tenderness, redness, swelling or heat.
• Any lesion changes color or bleeds.