According to the Mayo Clinic, an actinic keratosis is a rough and scaly sore on the skin of the face, lips, ears, back of the hands, forearms, scalp or neck. Actinic keratosis is caused by excessive exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun, and...
Actinic keratosis is a skin condition characterized by the presence of rough, scaly plaques. It is caused by overexposure to ultraviolet light and can develop into a form of skin cancer known as squamous cell carcinoma. You can help to prevent...
The appearance of skin growths or lesions can be frightening because they may look like skin cancer. Not all skin problems are cancerous, however. Some, such as seborrheic keratosis, are benign. Even the precancerous skin lesions, such as actinic...
The American Cancer Society states that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, with more than 1 million new cases diagnosed in the United States each year. Most skin cancers are caused by excessive exposure to the sun's UV rays. Avoiding...
Patchy itchy skin may be a benign skin rash but may also signal a precancerous growth on your skin. Pityriasis rosea and actinic keratosis may form itchy patches on your skin. Mild pityriasis rosea may not require treatment but actinic keratosis...
Keratosis is a disease characterized by an overgrowth of horny tissue or tissue containing a protein called keratin. There are several different types of keratosis with varying degrees of severity including actinic keratosis, keratosis pilaris,...
Keratosis is a term that describes lesions caused by the overgrowth of keratin, the fibrous protein that forms the outer layers of your skin. Keratoses can form on the lid of your eye as well as on other areas of your body. In some cases, these...
A patch of bumps on your skin is often a temporary problem that can easily be treated at home or by a dermatologist. However, anytime there are changes in your skin, make an appointment with your family physician or dermatologist to determine...
Dermatology refers to a specialty in medicine that focuses on the skin. Dermatologic diseases are frequently a result of family history, sun exposure or an immune system disorder in which the body actually thwarts an attack on the skin. Learn...
Aldara (imiquimod) is a medication used to treat skin cancer and skin growths such as actinic keratosis. Drugs.com says that Aldara can also treat genital and perianal (around your anus) warts. Typically, you will apply Aldara two times a week for...
Pigment loss is quite natural. It happens when the melanin in the epidermis layer of our skin is destroyed, and there is a failure by the body to produce new melanin cells. Throughout our lives, we all suffer from some pigment loss. The most...
Your ears are important parts of your body. Taking care of them and making sure they are functioning properly will ensure optimal health and hearing for many years to come. While daily hygiene practices should be all you need to maintain ear...
If you're suffering from wart-like skin eruptions or itchy, patchy skin, you may have a form of keratosis. Keratosis is caused by an overgrowth of keratin, a fibrous insoluble protein that's the primary component of nails, skin and hair. Although...
As people grow older, their skin becomes dryer, thinner, less elastic and less able to heal from injury. The damaging effects of sun exposure are more apparent, and various diseases and disorders of the skin become increasingly common. Some common...
Blue-light therapy, also called photodynamic therapy, is a medical treatment that uses a photosensitizing drug and a particular type of light. The photosensitizer is activated by specific wavelengths of light that are delivered by laser or...
Dry skin that appears on the earlobe can be a frustrating and embarrassing symptom. It can be caused by a variety of environmental and medical conditions --- some that can pose serious dangers if left untreated. Therefore, it is important for the...
Skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the United States as reported by the Skin Cancer Foundation, causes the abnormal and uncontrollable growth of skin cells. Pre-cancer cells are cells that appear abnormal but have not yet formed into...
Keratin is a form of protein that forms the basis for your hair and also plays an important role in the formation of your nails and skin. Abnormalities in the keratin cells in your skin can trigger the onset of a group of disorders called...
Healthy skin is smooth and supple. Sandy, dry bumps on the body can signal a variety of medical conditions, some of which can interfere with your enjoyment of life. Any skin spot that feels rough and gritty to the touch is worthy of further...
Carac (fluorouracil) topical cream treats precancerous skin lesions called actinic keratosis. Also called solar keratosis or sun spots, this skin malady tends to break out on areas of the skin most exposed to sunlight, such as the face, ears,...
A number of common skin conditions can cause big bumps on the scalp. While unsightly, many of these conditions remain benign. However, in some cases these bumps may indicate the presence of serious health complications such as skin cancer. Speak...
Solaraze, or diclofenac sodium by its generic name, is a gel used to treat actinic keratosis. This is a lesion of the skin that may be caused by frequent, intense exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. The condition, called solar keratosis as...
Age spots, also know as liver spots, are dark spots that appear on the skin in older adults. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that liver spots, which have nothing to do with the liver, usually occur in skin that has been exposed to...
Retin-A is a topical retinoid available by prescription. It's the brand name for tretinoin. Like other retinoids, Retin-A is a derivative of vitamin A. While it is most often used to treat moderate to severe acne, Retin-A is used for other...
The appearance and characteristics of skin change as the body ages, particularly if damaged by the sun or if a skin disease develops. The sun can cause the skin to develop wrinkles, dark spots or rough texture. Too much radiation from the sun can...
Sun damage spots, also called solar lentigines, sun spots, liver spots and age spots, are marks that commonly appear on sun-exposed areas, according to The Mayo Clinic. Although sun damage spots mostly appear in adults over age 40, they can affect...
Age spots occur when melanin, the substance that gives your skin its color, is produced in excess in a specific area of the skin. This causes melanin to clump together, giving the appearance of a brown spot. Age spots are more common after the age...
Most skin conditions that result in little bumps under your nose are harmless and may be more bothersome because of itching or appearance. Bumps that result from acne, rosacea, dermatitis or actinic keratosis, for example, may be chronic and...
A trichloroacetic acid peel will remove the outer layers of skin to force new skin to grow. This cosmetic procedure may reduce fine lines, scarring and age spots for some individuals. According to MayoClinic.com, a chemical peel may also remove...
Take care of your skin in your 50s with these skin care tips and facts. Learn more about skin care in your 50s in this video on beautification treatments.
