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,...
The non-cancerous skin growth sebhorreic keratosis typically does not require treatment. Sometimes, however, the keratoses may bleed, become inflamed or get irritated by clothing and jewelry. You might also want to remove them for purely cosmetic...
All that fun in the sun may have you seeing red — red age spots, that is. Years of sun exposure can cause red age spots on your skin, giving your complexion an uneven, blotchy appearance and making you look older. Red spots aren’t...
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...
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...
Though surgical removal of skin cancer is often the preferred first-line treatment, topical treatments may be appropriate for skin cancers of a certain type or stage. Although melanomas (the most serious type of skin cancer, often spreading to...
A sunburn is the most common form of radiation damage. It's caused by the sun, a big star that gives off energy in the form of ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light from the sun can be classified into three groups: UVC, UVB and UVA. UVC light gets...
Dry skin has a number of causes, ranging from the ordinary to the serious. The first step in finding a solution is analyzing your facial care regimen. If you moisturize and exfoliate regularly, chances are your dry skin isn't caused by a simple...
Brown spots on the skin generally do not indicate a cause for alarm. These naturally occurring features can appear as small brown blotches from exposure to ultraviolet light. Seborrheic keratoses also presents as brown spots on the skin. While...
Skin cancer is a condition characterized by abnormal skin cell growth. It occurs most commonly on areas that are regularly exposed to the sun. Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma are the three most common types of skin...
Actinic keratosis is the most common precancer of the skin. Actinic cheilitis develops on the lips. The appearance of keratoses varies and may include crusted lesions or spots with rough texture that resemble warts. Lesions on the lip have cracks...
Skin-colored bumps on your skin can have several possible causes. Most bumps or lumps on your skin, according to Medline Plus, are benign and are usually no cause for concern. However, it's always a good idea to have any unusual growths or bumps...
Everyone develops dry skin on their hands at some point in their lives. Blame it on the weather, improper skin care, or daily tasks such as washing dishes or gardening. But, dry scaling skin on your hands that persists may be a sign of a more...
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...
You're probably very aware of any unfamiliar bumps on your scalp --- after all, you're performing a self-examination every time you shampoo your hair. If you feel a strange bump or growth on your scalp, it's a good idea to see your doctor. In most...
The short-term effects of a glowing tan can have a negative impact on the appearance of skin over the long haul. Overexposure to the suns UV rays and failure to wear sunscreen can cause premature aging and have a number of other damaging effects...
Hyaluronic acid, or HA, is a gel-like substance that's found in abundance in young skin, according to Cleveland Clinic. HA helps keep connective tissues well lubricated and also provides a protective padding. The aging process generally causes a...
Skin rashes may arise in reaction to any number of irritants in a gym. A rash that appears on the arms after lifting weights may relate to contact dermatitis, wherein your skin reacts to the metal in the weights. Another cause of a skin rash on...
People who have certain types of skin conditions, such as basal cell carcinoma or actinic or solar keratoses, may experience relief from uncomfortable skin symptoms following treatment with fluorouracil cream. Fluorouracil cream is a topical...
Itchy bumps on the scalp can occur for many reasons. Although most conditions aren't harmful, their symptoms can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. Understanding what causes scalp irritation can help you diagnose and remedy its effects.
Many people, especially as they age, suffer from dark spots on their skin. Dark spots, also known as hyperpigmentation, can occur anywhere on the skin, but are especially common on skin that frequently is exposed to the sun, such as the hands and...
The older you are, the more likely it is you find harmless growths and age spots or liver spots on your skin. Skin that has been exposed to the sun for several decades is also more apt to develop cancerous spots or moles. Many different types of...
Tiny, crusty bumps on the skin often cause discomfort, frustration and embarrassment. Although rarely a cause for medical concern, tiny red crusty bumps on the skin that worsen, persist or are accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling or...
According to the Mayo Clinic, imiquimod is a topical drug used to treat genital warts. Genital warts are fleshy bumps that can appear on the vaginal, penile or rectal areas. They can be flat or raised, alone or in clusters, and have a...
Aldara Cream, the brand name of the medication imiquimod topical, is a prescription immune response modifier medication. It works by stimulating the immune system to release chemicals called cytokines, which help to fight viruses and destroy...
Skin tags are harmless tumors that pose no threat to your health or safety. Some people get one or two skin tags, while others get dozens in areas like the neck, underarms and around the eyes. Home remedies involving acids that dry out the...
Sunbathing, watching your kids play sports or other activities in the sun can give you a healthy looking glow, but can also damage your skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, sun damage does not occur with just one day of overexposure, but over a...
Efudex is a topical cream used in the treatment of actinic keratoses (or solar keratoses) and superficial basal cell carcinoma. The active ingredient of this medication is fluorouracil. Fluorouracil is a chemical compound that interferes with the...
Carac cream is a topical prescription medication that contains the active ingredient fluorouracil. This medication is indicated to treat certain types of skin conditions, including solar or actinic keratoses and superficial basal cell skin cancer....
