Seborrheic Keratoses (Barnacles of Aging) - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Definition

Seborrheic keratoses are often confused with warts or moles, but they are quite different. Seborrheic keratoses are non-cancerous growths of the outer layer of skin. Seborrheic keratoses are raised growths on the skin. Seborrheic means greasy and keratoses means thickening of the skin. There may be just one or clusters of dozens. They are usually started off light tan, and then may darken to dark brown or nearly black. They may be oval spots a fraction of an inch across, or form long Christmas tree like patterns on the torso inches long. Seborrheic keratoses have a variety of clinical appearances, and they develop from the proliferation of epidermal cells. Although no specific etiologic factors have been identified, they occur more frequently in sunlight-exposed areas. These skin growths are normally painless and require no treatment. You may decide, however, to have them removed if they become irritated by clothing or for cosmetic reasons.

Causes

1. The exact cause of seborrheic keratoses is unclear. They tend to run in some families, so genetics may play a role.
2. Ultraviolet light may also play a role in their development since they are common on sun-exposed areas, such as the back, arms, face and neck.
3. Age is also a risk factor in this disease. It commonly appears after age 40.
4. Although seborrheic keratoses may first appear in one spot and seem to spread to another, they are not contagious.
5. Other risk factors are being black and especially women.

Symptoms

1. These are located on the face, chest, shoulders, back, or other areas.
2. These present as yellow, brown, black, or other colors.
3. These have a slightly elevated, flat surface.
4. These usually have a rough structure and are similar to warts.
5. Although these may be single but usually these appear as multiple lesions.
6. The shape of seborrheic keratoses is round to oval. Seborrheic keratoses vary in size and grow slowly.
7. They usually appear “stuck on” and may have a verrucous, velvety, waxy, scaling, or crusted surface.
8. Sometimes they are irritated, itchy, or cosmetically bothersome.

Treatment

1. Cryotherapy: The use of extreme cold to remove seborrheic keratoses. Cryotherapy is the preferred treatment for most seborrheic keratoses, especially flat or slightly raised growths.
2. They also can be treated with electrofulguration and curettage where the curette is used to remove the electrofulgurated seborrheic keratosis.
3. Irritated or darkly pigmented seborrheic keratoses may sometimes need biopsy to distinguish them from cutaneous melanoma.
4. Electrocautery: It sends a low-voltage electrical charge through the tip of a needle to burn off a growth. This treatment is sometimes combined with curettage.
5. Laser Treatment: In this treatment an intense beam of light is suspended on the disease that burns and destroys the growth. It is used when disease is severe. It is an effective treatment and restricts the regrowth of disease.
6. Your doctor can tell you which treatments are best for your seborrheic keratosis, based on its type, size, and location.