Seborrheic Keratosis

1. Overview

A Seborrheic Keratosis is a common, non-cancerous (benign) skin growth that often appears as people age. While the exact cause isn't fully understood, they tend to run in families, suggesting a genetic link, and become more common with increasing age.

These growths can appear on many parts of the body but are most often found on the chest, back, stomach, scalp, face, and neck. They are not contagious, so you can't catch them from someone else or spread them to other parts of your own body by touching them. While they are harmless, some people find them bothersome due to their appearance or if they get irritated by clothing. We understand that any new spot on your skin can be worrying, and we're here to help you understand what this might be.

2. Symptoms

You might notice one or more of the following:

• A growth that looks like it's "stuck on" or "pasted" onto the skin.
• It may start as a small, rough bump, then slowly thicken and develop a warty or waxy surface.
• Color can vary widely, from light tan or yellowish to dark brown or black.
• They can range in size from very small (like a pinhead) to larger than an inch across.
• Some people experience mild itching, especially if the growth becomes irritated.
• They can appear as a single growth or in multiples.
• Sometimes, they can become inflamed, red, or crusted if rubbed or scratched.
• They usually grow slowly over months or years.

3. Diagnosis

A doctor, often a dermatologist, can usually diagnose a Seborrheic Keratosis just by looking at it. They are very familiar with how these growths appear.

In some cases, especially if the growth looks unusual, has changed rapidly, or if there's any doubt about the diagnosis (like wanting to rule out skin cancer), your doctor might perform a skin biopsy. This involves taking a small sample of the growth to be examined under a microscope. This is a simple procedure usually done in the doctor's office.

Management & Treatment

It's completely understandable to be concerned about any new growth on your skin. The good news is that seborrheic keratoses are harmless and usually don't need any treatment at all. They typically don't go away on their own, but they won't cause you any harm.

Many people choose to have these growths removed for personal reasons. Perhaps a growth is in a place that bothers you, gets easily irritated by clothing or jewelry, or you simply don't like its appearance. In these cases, a dermatologist can easily remove it for you.

Professional Medical Treatments

Your dermatologist has several safe and effective ways to remove a seborrheic keratosis. It's important to discuss these options with your doctor to decide what's best for you.

• Cryotherapy: This is a very common method where your doctor "freezes" the growth using liquid nitrogen. The growth usually falls off within a few days. Sometimes a small blister may form underneath, which will dry up and fall off with the growth.
• Electrosurgery and Curettage: In this procedure, the area is numbed, and an electric current is used to burn (cauterize) the growth. Your doctor may then use a special instrument called a curette to gently scrape the growth away.
• Shave Excision: After numbing the skin, your doctor uses a blade to carefully shave the growth off. This is often done when your doctor wants to examine the tissue under a microscope to be absolutely sure it's not a type of skin cancer.
• Laser Therapy: In some cases, a special medical laser can be used to destroy the growth.

In-Office Medication

There is also an FDA-approved prescription solution (a 40% hydrogen peroxide solution) that your dermatologist can apply directly to the growth in the office. This is a non-invasive option, though it might take more than one application to work completely.

Home Care & Self-Management

While it might be tempting to look for over-the-counter creams, their effectiveness on seborrheic keratoses is limited. It is very important not to try to scratch, pick, or remove these growths yourself. This can lead to bleeding, infection, and scarring.

The most crucial step in self-management is getting a proper diagnosis. What you think is a harmless spot could be something more serious. Always let a healthcare professional examine any new or changing skin growths.

After a removal procedure, your dermatologist will give you specific instructions on how to care for your skin. This usually involves keeping the area clean and sometimes applying an ointment to help it heal smoothly.

Important Considerations

• Safety First: The most important thing to remember is that only a dermatologist can tell for sure if a growth is a seborrheic keratosis or a skin cancer like melanoma. If you notice a new or changing spot, please get it checked.
• Possible Side Effects: Removal procedures are very safe, but there is a small risk of side effects, such as temporary or permanent skin discoloration (lighter or darker skin in the treated area) or scarring. Your dermatologist will discuss these risks with you.
• What if they come back? The same growth will not come back after it's been removed, but it's common to develop new seborrheic keratoses in other places as you get older. Regular skin checks are a great way to stay on top of your skin health.

4. Duration & Outlook

Seborrheic Keratoses are generally considered chronic, meaning they usually don't go away on their own and tend to be permanent unless they are removed for cosmetic reasons or if they become irritated. It's common for people to develop more of them as they get older.

The good news is that Seborrheic Keratoses are benign and do not turn into skin cancer. They are harmless growths. However, it's important to be aware that new spots can appear, or existing ones can sometimes get larger or darker over time. A warning sign requiring medical attention would be a spot that changes very quickly, bleeds without injury, or becomes very painful, as this might indicate something other than a typical Seborrheic Keratosis.

5. Prevention

Unfortunately, because the exact cause isn't fully known and there's a strong genetic link, there's no proven way to prevent Seborrheic Keratoses from developing. They are a common part of the skin's aging process for many individuals.

While sun exposure is a major factor for many skin conditions, its role in causing Seborrheic Keratoses is less clear, though some studies suggest it might play a part in their development on sun-exposed skin. General sun protection is always good for overall skin health.

6. Causes & Triggers

The precise cause of Seborrheic Keratoses is not fully understood by scientists. However, we know that:

• Age is the biggest factor; they are much more common in middle-aged and older adults.
• Genetics play a significant role. If your close family members have them, you are more likely to develop them too.
• While not a direct cause, sometimes they can become irritated by friction from clothing or jewelry, which might make them itchy or inflamed.
• Sun exposure may contribute to their development in some people, but they also appear on skin that's usually covered.

People most likely to develop them are those over 50, and those with a family history of these growths. They occur in people of all skin types.

7. When to see a doctor

It's always a good idea to see a doctor or dermatologist if you notice any new or changing skin growth. While Seborrheic Keratoses are harmless, it's important to get an accurate diagnosis to rule out other, more serious conditions like skin cancer, which can sometimes look similar.

You should definitely schedule a visit if:

• A growth changes rapidly in size, shape, or color.
• A growth looks different from your other skin spots.
• A growth bleeds, crusts over, or doesn't heal.
• A growth is itchy, painful, or tender.
• You are unsure what a particular skin spot is.
• You have many growths and want to confirm they are all Seborrheic Keratoses.

Your peace of mind is important, and a healthcare professional can provide you with the correct diagnosis and reassurance.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

• Are Seborrheic Keratoses cancerous? No, Seborrheic Keratoses are benign (non-cancerous) skin growths. They do not turn into skin cancer. However, it's important to have any new or changing skin spot checked by a doctor to be sure of the diagnosis.
• Can Seborrheic Keratoses spread to other people? No, they are not contagious. You cannot catch them from someone else or spread them by touch.
• Will I get more Seborrheic Keratoses? It's common to develop more of these growths as you get older, especially if you have a family history of them.
• Do Seborrheic Keratoses hurt? Usually, they don't cause any pain. However, they can sometimes become itchy or irritated, especially if they are rubbed by clothing.
• Why did I get these? The main reasons are aging and genetics. They are a very common part of getting older for many people.

References

• American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). Seborrheic keratoses: Overview. Retrieved from https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/seborrheic-keratoses-overview
• Mayo Clinic. (2022, August 2). Seborrheic keratosis. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seborrheic-keratosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353878
• Cleveland Clinic. (2022, March 21). Seborrheic Keratosis. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21721-seborrheic-keratosis
• Yale Medicine. (n.d.). Seborrheic Keratosis. Retrieved from https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/seborrheic-keratosis
• Healthline. (2023, March 29). Seborrheic Keratosis: Appearance, Causes, and Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/seborrheic-keratosis
• MedlinePlus. (2022, October 13). Seborrheic keratosis. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000884.htm