Seborrheic keratosis Causes and Risks:
Seborrheic keratosis is a benign skin tumor . The origin is unknown, but these tumors are not caused by exposure to sunlight or by viruses. They commonly appear on light-skinned persons after age 40.
They appear as wart-like growths, in a variety of colors. They may appear in large numbers on the surface of the body. They are usually painless and benign, but may become irritated and itch or become uncomfortable because of friction from clothing or rubbing of body surfaces. They may be cosmetically disfiguring and psychologically distressing.
Prevention:
There is no known prevention.
Symptoms:
- skin growths
- located on the face, chest, shoulders, back, or other areas
- yellow, brown, black, or other colors
- surface is slightly elevated, flat
- usually smooth but may have a rough or wart-like texture
- often waxy surface
- round to oval shape
- "pasted on" appearance
- may be single, but are usually multiple growths
Signs and Tests:
Diagnosis is based primarily on the appearance of the growths. A skin lesion biopsy may be used to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment:
The treatment is usually not required unless the growths become irritated or are cosmetically displeasing.
The growths may be surgically removed or removed by cryotherapy (freezing).
Prognosis:
Seborrheic keratosis is a benign and usually painless condition. Removal of the growth is simple and usually does not result in scars. However, growths on the trunk often leave lighter-colored skin. The growths usually do not recur after removal.
Complications:
- psychological distress from change in appearance
- irritation, discomfort of growths
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if seborrheic keratosis is present and you desire to have the growths removed.
Also call if new symptoms develop, including change in the appearance of the skin growth or development of other lesions.
Picture:
P0565.pctSeborrheic keratosis on the chest
Seborrheic keratoses appear in older individuals. They are elevated rough skin lesions which are often darkly-pigmented. Seborrheic keratoses are benign (not cancerous).
Seborrheic keratosis - close-up of a lesion: The lesions are elevated, usually smooth, and may be darkly pigmented. These benign (not cancerous) skin lesions are most frequently found on the chest, back, and frontal scalp.
Seborrheic keratosis - close-up of a lesion: These benign (not cancerous) lesions are elevated, usually smooth and darkly pigmented. This skin lesion tends to occur with greater frequency in elderly patients.
Seborrheic keratosis on the cheek: These benign (not cancerous) lesions are elevated, usually smooth and may be skin-colored to very black. They usually appear on older individuals and are can be seen on the face, as shown here.
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