Sakania Luiza Ruslanovna

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Seborrheic keratosis

Keratoses are non-inflammatory dermatological pathologies in which the stratum corneum of the skin thickens. The causes of the development of these diseases are different, and depending on them, several types of disease are distinguished. The most common are actinic, follicular, and seborrheic keratoses.

Seborrheic keratosis is a disease that causes the appearance of special neoplasms on the skin. Considering that the disease most often develops in people much older than 40 years of age, these formations are called senile warts (another term is seborrheic keratomas). Their character is almost always benign, they do not pose a strong danger, and no degeneration into cancer has been recorded. However, caution should be exercised - there are malignant skin pathologies that can be confused in appearance with seborrheic keratosis. In this case, the nature of the formation can be accurately determined only after a histological analysis.

In addition, small malignant neoplasms can “hide” in benign senile warts. If it is noticeable that the seborrheic keratoma increases in size, begins to bleed, hurt, or itch, immediately contact a dermatologist.

What do senile keratomas look like and where do they occur?

seborrheic keratomas - skin formations (single or multiple), different in color, size, configuration. Their color is yellow, dark cherry, brown-black, pink. The tumor is either flat or protrudes above the skin. It can be round, oval, in diameter from 2 mm to 6 cm, and is characterized by clear boundaries.

The main localization sites for seborrheic ketaromas are:

neck and face areas;
on the head in the hair;
on the hand (back surface);
on the back of the forearm;
on the external genitalia.

On the soles and palms, senile warts develop extremely rarely.

The structure of the formation is as follows - a keratoma looks like flaky tiny warts fused together, on top of which an easily removable thin crust is noticeable, bleeding even with the most minor damage. Over time, black dotted inclusions become noticeable on this crust, its thickness can increase to 1–2 cm, and a network of cracks appears. Keratomas can sometimes be pointed, sometimes they take on a convex, dome-like shape (the surface is smooth, whitish or black inclusions are noticeable).

seborrheic keratosis - forms

Seborrheic keratosis, to facilitate diagnosis, is divided by dermatologists into the following forms:

Reasons for the development of pathology

Seborrheic keratosis is a pathology that has not been sufficiently studied. The exact reasons for its development have not yet been identified.

Previously, it was believed that keratoma develops if a person is infected with HPV. There were also other versions - excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation, lack of vitamins, excess fat in the body. The research carried out did not confirm these versions.

Research has established one more or less reliable reason for the occurrence of senile warts - genetic predisposition. If this disease has been observed in the family, then seborrheic ketaromas are likely to develop in all close relatives.

Doctors have identified several factors that provoke the onset of the disease:

strong exposure to ultraviolet radiation;
permanent skin injuries;
harmful chemical influences;
immune disorders;
use of hormonal medications (this most often applies to estrogens);
endocrine diseases of chronic form.

Seborrheic keratosis - treatment

In themselves, senile ketaromas are not dangerous. If there is no psychological or aesthetic discomfort from a seborrheic wart, it does not increase in size, its shape and color do not change - there is no need to remove the tumor.

If there are existing risks of complications, or if a person believes that ketaroma spoils his appearance, a dermatologist may prescribe removal of the formation in one of the following ways:

Laser treatment of tumors. Laser removal is a highly effective, painless, and relatively affordable method. The laser acts exclusively directionally, destroying only the pathological formation. Healthy tissue surrounding seborrheic ketaroma is not affected. After the laser, the wounds heal quickly, leaving no scars or other visible damage to the skin.
The method of exposure to radio waves is similar in principle to the laser procedure. Seborrheic ketaroma is exposed to high frequency radio waves. They act on water molecules located in the tissues of warts. Excess energy from high-frequency radio waves causes it to “boil.” As a result, the cells and fibers at the site of exposure are torn, the formation evaporates, and a small crust remains in its place, which easily disappears by itself after a while.
Cryotherapy – warts are frozen with liquid nitrogen. The method is used for extensive accumulation of tumors in one area. It is practically not used for removing keratomas on the face and neck area.
Electrocoagulation – an electric scalpel is used. They excise the wart, then apply a suture to the wound site. Of all four listed methods, this is the most traumatic; it requires a certain period of rehabilitation. Naturally, it is not used for excision of keratomas on the face, neck and other open areas of the body.

Conservative methods of therapy have also been developed:

If a senile wart is diagnosed at the spot stage, special types of peeling and grinding are used to remove it.
The administration of ascorbic acid in large doses helps to slow down the development of existing keratomas and prevents the development of new formations. It should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor. The dosage is selected individually and can range from 0.5 to 1.5 grams 3 times a day. Take the drug after meals for 1–2 months. 2-3 courses are required, with a break between them of at least 30 days.
Seborrheic keratomas are sometimes treated with ointments containing 5% fluorouracil, solcoderm, 10% lactic-salicylic collodion. 30% prospidin ointment is often used.

If you suspect the development of seborrheic keratosis, you should seek qualified dermatological help. Self-medication is strictly not recommended - senile warts are sometimes similar to other dangerous types of neoplasms, and sometimes (albeit very rarely) can degenerate into skin cancer. Therefore, it is not worth taking risks - timely differential diagnosis will save your nerves and health.

If the diagnosis is accurately established, after consultation with a specialist, effective traditional methods can be used as additional therapy.

Treating keratosis with alternative medicine at home

The arsenal of healers is very rich. Healers know many effective recipes for treating skin diseases, including senile warts.

To get rid of keratosis at home, recipes based on propolis, aloe, raw potatoes, and onion peels are most often used:

Aloe – leaves of plants older than 5 years are used. They are washed well and kept in the refrigerator for several days. Then, taking out one at a time, they cut into thin slices. They are applied to the tumors, secured with a bandage, cling film, and left overnight. The skin is wiped with weak salicylic alcohol in the morning.
At home, keratosis can be successfully treated with raw potatoes. It is grated on a grater until it becomes mushy and spread on gauze folded in two or three layers. This compress is bandaged to the senile wart for 60 minutes, then the potato pulp is replaced with fresh one - repeated three times.
Treatment of keratosis at home is carried out using propolis. It is rolled into a thin sheet and applied to senile warts. Secure with a bandage, leave for 2-3 days, then replace the bandage with a new one. Repeat the procedure at least three times.

Thank you

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!

Keratoma is a general collective name for several types of benign skin tumors formed from the superficial cells of the epidermis. That is, several types of neoplasms with a common origin are combined into one name “keratoma”. In principle, the term “keratoma” is clinically and morphologically inaccurate, since it does not reflect the specific characteristics of each type of benign tumor formed from cells of the superficial layer of the epidermis ( keratinocytes).

The term "keratoma" is formed from two parts: the first is "keratos", which is the Greek name for the cells of the superficial stratum corneum of the skin (keratinizing epithelium), and the second is the suffix "-oma", which denotes a tumor. That is, the direct translation of the word “keratoma” is a tumor of the cells of the keratinizing epithelium of the skin. It can be said that the term “keratoma” is equivalent in meaning to the concepts “fibroids”, “lipomas” and other similar general names for large groups of benign tumors originating from the same type of cells and including several specific types of neoplasms.

Keratoma - brief characteristics and localization

Any keratoma, regardless of the type, is formed from epithelial cells of the skin, which is the outer layer and is in direct contact with the environment. This epithelium is multilayered keratinizing in structure, and the cells that form it are called keratinocytes. Stratified keratinizing epithelium consists of several layers of cells lying on top of each other. Moreover, the cells of the outer layer located on the surface gradually die off, turning into horny scales, which peel off and are removed from the surface of the skin when washed.

When the scales peel off, new epithelial cells rise in their place from deeper layers, which themselves, after some time, begin to die and turn into scales. Thus, a process of constant renewal of skin epithelial cells occurs - the superficial ones die and peel off, and their place is taken by others that were previously in the underlying layer. The basement membrane of the epithelium, in turn, constantly forms new epithelial cells, which gradually move towards the surface to eventually become scales and slough off.

Normally, the rate of formation of new cells on the basement membrane and peeling off of horny scales is balanced. That is, only the number of cells that is necessary to replace those that have turned into horny scales is formed again. If the processes of exfoliation of scales and the formation of new epithelial cells are not balanced, this leads to the development of various skin diseases. This is how keratomas—benign tumors made from keratinocytes—are formed.

Keratoma is formed from unchanged skin epithelial cells prone to excessive keratinization. That is, the tumor consists of a large number of ordinary keratinocytes - exactly the same cells that form normal layers of the epithelium. Since keratomas are formed from normal cells, they are benign tumors.

However, keratomas are prone to degeneration into Cancer. According to statistics, malignancy of keratomas occurs in 8–20% of cases, depending on the type of tumor, the general condition of the human body, as well as the presence of negative factors contributing to the formation of cancer cells. It is precisely because of the relatively high probability of keratomas degenerating into malignant tumors that these neoplasms are classified as precancer. However, you should not be afraid of this, because in most cases keratomas do not become malignant.

Since keratomas are formed from skin epithelial cells, these tumors are localized only in different areas of the skin. Keratomas can form on the face, neck, torso, arms, and upper legs. Moreover, the most rare localization of these neoplasms is the lower extremities, and most often keratoma appears on areas of the skin exposed to sunlight, such as the face, neck, arms, chest, etc. One or more keratomas may appear at the same time.

At the initial stage, any keratoma looks like a slightly protruding spot above the skin, colored gray or coffee-colored. The surface of the keratome usually peels off, which is due to the formation and peeling of a large number of horny scales. As it develops, the area of the keratoma increases, and the spot begins to protrude more strongly above the surface of the skin. On sufficiently large keratomas, a dense crust of horny scales forms, which can be torn off accidentally or intentionally. When a keratoma is injured, it can bleed and hurt, causing discomfort to the person. Otherwise, these tumors, as a rule, represent only a cosmetic problem and do not bother the person in any way.

Skin keratoma

Since the keratoma is formed from unchanged cells of the keratinizing epithelium, which is found only in the structure of the skin, the only possible localization of these benign tumors is the skin. In other words, keratomas can only form on the skin. In this aspect, keratomas are an example of benign tumors with a determinate (conditional) localization - that is, they can form only on the skin and nowhere else.

Accordingly, the term “skin keratoma” is incorrect, since it contains an excessive specification, which fully reflects the situation described by the well-known saying “butter oil”. After all, any keratoma can only be on the skin.

Keratoma on the face

Keratoma on the face forms quite often and is usually single. Keratomas of any kind can form on the face, as well as on other parts of the body. Moreover, their course is no different from tumor formations localized in other areas of the skin, for example, on the back, leg, etc. Therefore, it is inappropriate to consider keratomas on the face separately from the same tumor formations in other parts of the body, because there are no fundamental differences between them.

Multiple keratomas

The term “multiple keratomas” usually means the presence of more than 3 formations on a small area of skin (approximately 5 X 5 cm). Multiple keratomas, like single ones, can be dangerous or non-dangerous, which depends on the period of time during which they appeared, as well as on the rate of increase in their size.

As a rule, several keratomas appear on the skin of different parts of the body over a relatively short period of time (a few months), and this phenomenon is considered normal. If over several years a person has formed a large number of keratomas, then this is also a variant of the age norm. In such cases, it is not recommended to remove the tumors; you should simply regularly (1-2 times every six months) undergo a preventive examination by a dermatologist who can monitor the growth and condition of the keratoma.

If within a short period of time (1 - 3 months) a person develops multiple keratomas in one or several areas of the body, then this is considered a dangerous condition, since it may be a sign of cancer in the internal organs. Otherwise, multiple keratomas are no different from single ones, since they are characterized by the same clinical course, approaches to therapy and possible causative factors.

Photo keratoma

Since there are several types of keratomas that differ in appearance from each other, we present their photographs in separate sections.

Senile (seborrheic, age-related) keratoma - photo

These photographs show various clinical variants of seborrheic keratomas.

Follicular keratoma - photo

This photograph shows a follicular keratoma.

Solar (actinic) keratoma – photo

These photographs show various variants of solar keratoma.

Cutaneous horn - photo

These photographs show cutaneous horns of various shapes and sizes.

Types of keratomas

Currently, doctors and scientists use a classification of keratomas based on the nature of the causative factor that provoked the skin tumor. According to the most common classification, the following types of keratomas are distinguished:

Senile keratoma, which is also called age-related, senile or seborrheic;
Solar keratome, which is also called actinic;
Follicular keratoma;
Cutaneous horn, also called keratoma keratoma.

Since each of these types of keratomas is characterized by the presence of specific structural features, we will describe them separately.

Senile keratoma (seborrheic, age-related, senile keratoma)

To designate this type of formation, in addition to the name “senile”, the terms seborrheic, age-related or senile keratoma are also used, which, accordingly, are synonyms. Three variants of tumor names, such as senile, senile and age-related, reflect the fact that these keratomas are formed in older people (after 40 - 50 years). And the term “seborrheic keratoma” reflects the fact that excess sebum production plays a large role in the process of tumor formation. In addition to the listed options for the names of keratomas, the terms “seborrheic keratosis” or “senile keratosis” are often used.

In people under 40–50 years of age, seborrheic keratoma is most often single and, as a rule, localized on open areas of the body, such as the face, arms, neck, chest, etc. In the older age group (in people 50 years and older), this The type of keratomas is almost always multiple, and they are localized in closed areas of the body, such as the back, abdomen, legs, etc.

Seborrheic keratoma at the initial stage is a spot that rises slightly above the skin, colored brown, gray, dark brown or black. The shape of the spot can be oval or round, and the size ranges from medium lentils to large beans. As the spot grows, it may increase slightly in size and rise significantly above the surface of the skin. When the keratoma finally grows, it protrudes strongly above the skin and looks like something foreign, as if glued.

Numerous scales are visible on the surface of the formation, which in some cases can form a continuous crust. The scales are loose, greasy to the touch and easily removed from the surface of the keratoma, since they are not strongly fused to its tissues. Under the removed scales, protrusions of various sizes are visible, similar to the papillae of the tongue. Usually these protrusions are well demarcated from the rest of the keratoma tissue, they look like peculiar inclusions, painted in a slightly different shade, but the same color as the rest of the formation, as a result of which it is not difficult to identify them.

Senile keratomas grow slowly throughout a person's life and never disappear on their own. As the formation grows, they can change shape, color and degree of elevation above the surface of the skin. When localized in close proximity to physiological openings (eyes, vagina, entrance to the urethra in men, etc.), keratomas are often subject to trauma, as a result of which in 20% or more cases they become malignant and give rise to basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.

The risk of malignant degeneration of senile keratomas ranges from 8 to 35%, which is determined by the presence of additional factors promoting tumor growth. Thus, the risk of malignancy by keratomas increases with their regular injury, improper treatment, as well as exposure to ultraviolet and radioactive radiation, etc.

Depending on the histological structure, senile keratomas are divided into the following forms:
1. Spotted form;
2. Nodular form;
3. Plaque form;
4. Keratoma similar to Bowen's disease;
5. Transitional form between keratoma and cutaneous horn.

These forms of keratomas represent five successive stages of tumor development, which are listed in the order of their transformation into each other. That is, the spotted form is the earliest stage of keratoma development, and the transitional form to the cutaneous horn is, accordingly, the last.

Spotted keratoma It is a round or oval-shaped spot ranging in size from 3 to 7 mm with fuzzy edges. When localized on the body, the spot is colored brownish-brown, and on the face – light brown or pinkish-yellow. The spots may feel smooth or rough to the touch. In the area of the keratoma, the skin is thin, subject to atrophy, as a result of which it is easy to gather into folds and wrinkles.

Nodular keratoma has dimensions up to 10 mm, clearly defined edges and is colored dark gray or dirty yellow. The formation is raised above the surface and covered with horny scales. If you remove the scales, the reddish surface of the keratome will be underneath them.

Plaque keratoma It is an irregularly shaped disc 5–10 mm in diameter with clear edges, painted gray. The color of the plaque is due to a dense layer of horny scales that can be scraped off from the surface of the keratoma. If the scales are removed, the bleeding surface will be visible underneath them.

Keratoma similar to Bowen's precancer , is several plaques merged into one with a total diameter of 10 - 15 mm. The edges of the common plaque are uneven, jagged, but clearly defined. The edges of the keratoma are copper or pinkish in color, and the center is various shades of brown or gray. The number of scales on the surface of the keratoma is insignificant. As the formation progresses and grows, its central part atrophies and sinks. Such a keratoma is only superficially similar to Bowen's precancer, but its distinguishing feature is the almost zero possibility of degeneration into cancer.

Transitional form from keratoma to cutaneous horn It is an ordinary plaque, at one end of which a keratinized elevation is formed, resembling a horn. This elevation is dense to the touch, consists of a cluster of horny scales and is colored brown. The size of such a horny growth on the surface of the skin is usually small - from 10 to 15 mm, and over time it becomes malignant, turning into spinocellular skin cancer.

Solar (actinic) keratoma

Solar (actinic) keratoma is a type of tumor provoked by the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin. That is, as the name implies, solar keratoma is formed due to prolonged exposure to the sun. The total dose of solar radiation received throughout life plays a role in the development of keratoma. That is, the more and more often a person was exposed to the scorching sun, the higher his likelihood of forming solar keratomas.

Typically, this form of the disease manifests itself with the simultaneous formation of multiple keratomas on the surface of the skin in areas most exposed to sunlight, for example, the face, lips, ears, neck, forearms, hands and lower legs. Keratomas are located on thin, atrophied skin.

At the initial stage, solar keratomas are small, painful spots or round-shaped blisters, the size of which ranges from a pinhead to several centimeters. Such keratomas are painted in the color of normal skin or in various shades of red and gray-black. If the formation has the same color as the surrounding skin, then it is difficult to identify them during examination, but it is easy to do this by palpation. When you touch the surface of the solar keratome, your fingers feel a rough and very dense formation, slightly protruding above the skin. In addition, solar keratomas appear well when creams containing 5-fluorouracil are applied to them.

Solar keratomas are divided into the following forms depending on their clinical manifestations:

Erythematous form;
Keratotic (papular) form;
Warty (papillomatous) form;
Horny form;
Pigment form;
Proliferative form.

Erythematous form Solar keratosis is characterized by the appearance of lesions of various shapes on the skin, in which there are a large number of hard and dry scales. The lesions are clearly defined and delimited from the surrounding skin by a red rim. At the time of appearance, the size of the lesion is several millimeters, but as the tumor progresses, it increases to 10–20 mm.

Keratotic form is formed due to the thickening of the layer of horny scales covering the surface of the erythematous keratoma. At the same time, the redness goes away, and the surface of the lesion becomes covered with horny scales, giving it a yellowish dirty-brown or gray-black color. If the scales are scraped off, you will find red, thin, cracked skin underneath.

Warty form Solar keratosis is characterized by “cauliflower-like” growths on the surface of the keratosis, which is covered with scales, giving it a dirty gray color with a yellowish tint.

Horny form Solar keratomas are characterized by the formation of a dense growth on the skin, similar to a horn. This horn is formed by a large number of tightly compressed scales. Most often, the cutaneous horn is formed from the keratotic form of solar keratosis and is predominantly localized on the skin of the forehead or ears.

Pigment form Solar keratoses are brown spots covered with horny scales, giving their surface a strong roughness. As a rule, keratomas are located on the back or the back of the hands.

Proliferative form Solar keratoma is an oval plaque that rises above the surface of the skin, colored red and covered with flaking scales. The edges of the plaque are blurred, and the size can reach 3–4 cm in diameter. Solar keratomas of this form are most often localized on the skin of the lips, but can also affect the conjunctiva of the eye.

Follicular keratoma (keratosis)

Follicular keratoma is a rare type of tumor that originates from the epithelial cells lining the hair canal, from which the hair emerges from the follicle to the surface of the skin. This keratoma is extremely rare, and according to some data, the tumor is more often formed in women, and according to others, on the contrary, in men.

Follicular keratoma looks like a dense nodule of regular round shape, protruding above the surface of the skin and colored gray or pinkish. As it grows, it can increase in size up to 20 mm. Follicular keratomas are usually localized above the upper lip, on the scalp or on the forehead near the hairline.

Cutaneous horn (horny keratoma)

The cutaneous horn (horny keratoma) is a dense protruding formation with a characteristic elongated shape, which is why it received the name “horn”. This keratoma is formed by dense horny scales, fused together into one dense mass.

It is currently believed that cutaneous horn is not an independent and separate form of benign tumors of the epidermis, but represents a special variant of the course of solar or senile keratoma. That is, cutaneous horn can have different origins and course, but the same clinical manifestations. Actually, it was precisely the same type of clinical manifestations that made it possible to combine all possible variants of the origin of the cutaneous horn into one type of keratoma.

Most often, a cutaneous horn develops against the background of an existing senile keratome and somewhat less frequently with a solar keratome. In order for a skin horn to form from a solar or senile keratoma, it is necessary to constantly influence the formation of additional factors that will form a predisposition. Such factors include microtraumas, sunburn, chronic infectious diseases, etc. This means that if an existing solar or senile keratoma is continually traumatized, exposed to sunlight, or becomes infected, it is highly likely to form a cutaneous horn.

The cutaneous horn looks like an elongated protruding formation on the skin of a conical or cylindrical shape. It constantly grows in length, and therefore can reach significant sizes - in isolated cases up to 30 cm. In rare cases, the horn grows not in length, but in width, and in this case it looks like a large, wide formation attached to the surface of the skin with a thin stalk .

The surface of the formation can be smooth or rough, dotted with numerous irregularities and grooves, and the color is dark with a predominance of yellowish-brown or brown colors. To the touch, the skin horn has a dense consistency. At the base of the horn on the skin there may be local inflammation, which looks like a narrow red rim surrounding the formation.

The cutaneous horn forms somewhat more often in women and is usually single. It is extremely rare for two or more cutaneous horns to form on the skin of one person. Usually the formation is localized on the face, ears and scalp. Since malignancy of the cutaneous horn occurs quite often, it is classified as a precancerous disease.

Cause of keratoma

The exact causes of keratomas, like other tumors, have not currently been identified, but it has been established for certain that the development of these tumors is associated with exposure to sunlight on human skin. This does not mean that a few months after exposure to the sun, for example, at sea, keratomas will begin to appear and grow in a person. However, the sun can repeatedly negatively affect the skin throughout life, which ultimately leads to various changes in its overall structure and individual cells, which become predisposing factors for the formation of keratomas. In other words, slowly but steadily over decades, the sun's rays cause changes in the structure and functioning mechanisms of the cells of the surface layer of the skin, which ultimately becomes the basis for the formation of tumors from them. That is, skin cells damaged by solar radiation give rise to keratoma.

Scientists were able to find out that the decisive factor in the formation of keratomas is not a single dose of solar treatment received by a person during one or several days of exposure to direct sunlight. On the contrary, the decisive role is played by the total dose of solar radiation received by a person throughout his life. That is, if a person was exposed to the open rays of the sun for one hour every day for 20 years, then his risk of developing keratomas is higher than that of someone who, for the same 20 years, spent only 2 weeks a year on the beach, exposing his skin to the sun.

Since it is the total dose of solar radiation received by a person throughout his life that is important for the formation of keratomas, it is recommended to avoid intense sunbathing for more than 15 to 45 minutes a day and working in open areas under the scorching sun without thick clothing that covers as much skin as possible. This means that to prevent keratomas and skin cancer, it is recommended that when working in the open sun (for example, in a field, lifeguards on the beach, etc.), you should dress to cover your arms, neck, shoulders, legs, and forehead.

Are keratomas dangerous?

Keratomas are both dangerous and safe. This means that in general, keratomas are safe neoplasms because they are benign, but at certain moments they can become dangerous due to malignancy and their transformation into a cancerous tumor. That is, until the process of malignancy and degeneration into cancer begins in the keratome, it is safe.

Based on the fact that the keratoma itself is a safe formation, and becomes dangerous only with malignant degeneration, it is very important to monitor the condition of the tumor and record possible signs of its transformation into cancer. Currently, the signs of malignancy of keratomas are the following changes in it:

The keratoma began to grow rapidly;
The keratoma began to bleed without injury;
The keratoma began to itch.

This means that if these signs are detected, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible and remove the suspicious keratoma.

In addition, the danger of keratoma lies in the fact that in appearance some forms are similar to skin cancer, as a result of which even experienced doctors cannot always distinguish one formation from another. In such situations, it is recommended to remove the suspicious tumor as soon as possible and send it for histological examination. If the results of histology reveal that the formation was indeed a cancerous tumor, then for a complete recovery you should undergo a course of chemotherapy.

Finally, the indirect danger of keratomas is that with the simultaneous appearance of a large number of such tumors on the skin, there is a high probability of developing cancer in any internal organ. In such a situation, it is necessary to consult a doctor and undergo a detailed examination, which will detect a growing cancerous tumor and remove it at an early stage.

Treatment of keratosis

General principles of treatment of keratomas (senile, seborrheic, follicular, cutaneous horn)

Currently, the only way to treat keratomas is to remove them using various methods. However, keratomas do not always require mandatory removal; moreover, in most cases, people live with them into old age and die for completely different reasons. That is, you can cure a keratoma only by removing it, but this is not always necessary. In other words, these tumors do not need to be treated in all cases. The only type of keratomas that must be removed is the cutaneous horn.

If there are keratomas, doctors recommend not removing all existing tumors, but visiting a dermatologist 1-2 times every six months so that he can monitor the dynamics and condition of the formations, and if they are suspected of malignant degeneration, quickly remove them. Thus, it is recommended to remove only keratomas that are suspected of malignant degeneration into skin cancer.

In addition, at the request of patients, doctors remove keratomas, which create a visible cosmetic defect that disrupts a person’s normal life and causes discomfort. That is, if the keratoma does not show signs of malignancy and from the doctor’s point of view it can be left, but at the same time the person does not like its presence in principle, then it is quite possible to remove the formation at the request of the patient.

Keratoma removal methods

Currently, the following techniques can be used to remove keratomas:

Kerat removal with laser;
Cryodestruction (removal of keratosis with liquid nitrogen);
Electrocoagulation (removal of keratomas with electric current);
Radio wave removal of keratomas;
Surgical removal of keratomas;
Destruction by acids (removal of keratomas with acids) or cytostatics.

The choice of keratoma removal method is made individually in each specific case based on the size, type and shape of the formation, as well as available tools and equipment.

So, if a malignant degeneration of a keratoma is suspected, then it should be removed only by surgical, radio wave or laser methods. Other methods cannot be used to remove malignant tumors, since they are not effective and radical enough. As a result, their use makes it impossible to completely remove all tumor cells, which will trigger explosive cancer growth a few weeks after surgery.

All three of these methods for removing suspicious malignant keratomas are equally effective, but laser and radio wave are less traumatic compared to surgery. This means that after removing a keratoma using a laser or radio wave method, a rough and noticeable scar will not form, and tissue healing after surgery will occur very quickly. Therefore, if possible, it is recommended to prefer the laser or radio wave method of keratoma removal to the surgical method.

Methods of cryodestruction, electrocoagulation and acid destruction can be used to remove keratomas that are definitely not at the stage of malignant degeneration, but bother a person only as cosmetic defects or interfere with leading a normal lifestyle (for example, they are injured during movements, etc.).

Methods for removing keratomas with acids and cytostatics can be considered conservative, since when they are used, the neoplasm is destroyed due to the death of its cells, and not “cutting out” it with a scalpel, laser beam or radio wave radiation. Treatment of keratoses with acids or ointments with cytostatics is carried out in order to remove small but numerous neoplasms. As a rule, only solar keratomas are removed with the help of acids and cytostatics, since they are small in size and have a shallow depth of damage to skin tissue.

Laser removal of keratoma

Laser removal of keratoma is an effective method that allows you to completely destroy tumor cells, which guarantees the absence of relapses. Typically, laser removal of keratomas is performed in one session, during which the formation is either evaporated or “cut out” with a laser beam used as a thin scalpel. After laser removal of a keratoma, complete healing of the skin occurs within 1–2 weeks, after which an almost invisible scar remains on it.

Removing tumors with liquid nitrogen

Removal of keratoma with liquid nitrogen is carried out without anesthesia, as a result of which during the procedure a person may feel a slight tingling or burning sensation on the skin. The essence of the manipulation is to destroy the keratoma tissue with liquid nitrogen. After treating the tumor with liquid nitrogen, a crusty spot forms on the skin, under which tissue healing occurs. About a week after the operation, the crust disappears, and a pink spot remains on the skin, which within a month acquires the color of the normal surrounding skin, as a result of which it becomes invisible.

Unfortunately, when using liquid nitrogen, it is impossible to control the depth of tissue damage, as a result of which a common complication of cryodestruction of keratomas is a wound that is too large, healing with the formation of a noticeable and unsightly scar. In addition, when using the cryodestruction method, relapses of keratomas quite often occur due to the fact that not all tumor cells were destroyed.

Removal of keratoma by electrocoagulation

Removal of a keratoma by electrocoagulation is its “cauterization” with an electric current, which is completely similar to that for cervical erosion. During the manipulation, the keratoma is exposed to a high-frequency electric current, which heats the tumor tissue, actually burning it locally. After electrocoagulation of the keratoma, a crust is formed, under which the skin heals. After 1 - 1.5 weeks, the crust disappears and pink skin is exposed, which acquires a normal color after a month. The electrocoagulation method is excellent for removing small keratomas because it does not cause scarring and is quite effective.

Removal of keratoma using the radio wave method

Removing a keratoma using the radio wave method involves “cutting it out” using a radio knife. The essence of the operation is exactly the same as when removing a keratoma with a scalpel, but instead of a rough metal cutting object, thin and precise radio wave radiation is used, allowing bloodless and small incisions to be made. As a result of radio wave removal of the keratoma, the surrounding tissues are not damaged and therefore no scars are formed. The method can be used to remove any keratomas.

Surgical removal of keratoma

Surgical removal of a keratoma involves “cutting it out” with a scalpel under local anesthesia. This method is the simplest and most accessible, but at the same time very effective, therefore it can be used to remove any type of keratoma. The only drawback of the method is the formation of a postoperative scar and relatively long tissue healing.

Removal of tumors with acids and cytostatics

Removal of keratoma with acids and cytostatics involves treating formations with external agents (creams, emulsions or solutions) containing substances as active components that can destroy tumor cells. Such substances are trichloroacetic and glycolic acids, as well as the cytostatics Podophyllin and 5-fluorouracil.

Treatment of kerat with acids is carried out only by a doctor, since it is very important to dose these substances correctly. Indeed, when using too high a dose of acids or when applying them to keratomas for a long period of time, a chemical burn is possible, which will lead to the formation of ugly scars.

The cytostatic solution Podophyllin and ointments containing 5-fluorouracil can be used for self-treatment of keratomas, since their use is relatively safe. So, 25% Podophyllin should be lubricated with keratomas once a day for 10 days. In this case, 4–8 hours after applying Podophyllin to the keratoma, it should be washed off with warm water and soap.

The skin is a human organ that is susceptible to many diseases as a result of exposure to negative environmental factors. Seborrheic keratosis is one of the common diseases, the characteristic symptom of which is the appearance of small tumors on the skin. They arise due to excessive thickening of the stratum corneum of the epidermis. To get rid of seals, you need to know the causes of their appearance, as well as how to deal with them.

Keratoses represent a group of skin diseases that are not prone to inflammatory processes. There are several varieties, including seborrheic keratosis. It is also called senile or senile, because neoplasms often appear after 30 years, and especially in pensioners. With age, the affected area may increase.

Several causes of seborrheic keratosis have been identified, but none of them have been fully proven. There is a version that it is age factors that provoke the development of keratosis. This theory has a significant drawback: why, in this case, does the skin disease not affect all elderly people?

It is assumed that seborrheic keratosis can be caused by the following reasons:

hereditary predisposition (the incidence of skin disease in close relatives is much higher);
prolonged exposure to the sun (UV rays);
changes in skin structure with increasing age;
friction, scratches, wearing tight clothing and other types of damage;
weakening of the protective function of the immune system;
negative impact of household and industrial chemicals (sprays, colognes, aerosols, detergents, poisoning in factories);
pregnancy in women;
endocrine disorders;
avitaminosis;
unbalanced diet, lack of variety of foods;
taking hormones (including contraception);
lack of vegetable fats in the diet.

The danger level of seborrheic keratosis

These tumors are benign and do not contain cancer cells in their structure, but there is some relationship with cancer tumors on the skin:

often seborrheic keratosis is a sign of cancer on internal organs;
keratosis can “mask” a malignant neoplasm growing among tumor cells (it represents a great danger because inoperable cancer can be detected at the last stage);
Cancer and keratosis are practically indistinguishable in appearance; they can only be distinguished by excision of tissue for histological examination.

It is worth noting that about 9,000 patients with seborrheic keratosis were found to have malignant skin cells.

Classification and symptoms of seborrheic keratosis

Scientists have identified several forms of keratosis, which differ not only in the provoking facts, but also in their symptoms.

dry skin;
the appearance of light pink or yellow nodules on the skin;
inflammatory process in the affected areas;
neoplasms arise on the hair follicles, so broken hairs are visible at their top;
subcutaneous growth of the hair follicle;
common places of localization are limbs, buttocks, less often the face;
no itching;
most often manifests itself in childhood and adolescence.

small nodule that gradually takes the form of a papule;
skin pigmentation;
expansion of capillaries;
the size can vary from a few mm to cm;
the nodules do not cause pain and do not itch;
the presence of scales, the tearing off of which is painful (underneath you can find skin depletion or an erosive process);
the skin takes on a reddish and sometimes brown tint;
progresses slowly.

Wart-like keratosis:

neoplasms are rough to the touch;
have pronounced pigmentation;
most often localized on the upper extremities;
easily confused with the seborrheic form.

Horny (horny) keratosis:

skin growths, dark at the base and light at the tip;
conical shape (resembles horns);
group or single distribution on the skin;
there is a danger of developing cancer.

Seborrheic (senile, senile) keratosis:

neoplasms can be of different colors (yellowish, brown);
size varies from a few mm to 7 cm;
usually mushroom or oval shaped;
at the beginning of the development of the disease, a small spot appears on the skin, gradually developing and becoming crusty;
peeling and sometimes itching are observed;
most often appears on the upper limbs, back, chest, face;
the top layer is keratinized.

Seborrheic keratosis also manifests itself in several forms:

flat type (tumors are flattened, rise several mm above the skin level, and stand out strongly due to their dark shade);
irritated type (the tissues of the skin formations contain blood and lymph cells);
reticular type (similar to the flat type, characterized by the presence of keratinized projections).

It is necessary to pay attention if an inflammatory process develops in the keratomas or blood is released from them. This may mean that the tumors were injured as a result of mechanical actions. The inflamed type of seborrheic keratosis is the most dangerous and can cause malignancy.

Seborrheic keratosis should be differentiated from the following dermatological diseases:

Vulgar or common warts. Caused by human papillomavirus type II. They mainly grow on the back of the feet and hands. Elevations above the skin do not exceed 1 cm.
Basalioma is a malignant neoplasm, also called basal cell carcinoma. Develops from cells of the outer layer of the skin. Most often localized on the neck and front of the head. Initially, a painless pimple appears, which gradually grows and transforms into a nodule.
Melanoma is a cancer of the skin. It develops from birthmarks and skin cells that contain a lot of melanin pigment. In later stages it affects internal organs. The spots are asymmetrical.
Keratopapilloma or senile warts. Unlike common warts, the appearance of keratopapilloma is influenced by the age factor, not the virus. Initially it is a pigment spot.
Eccrine poroma is a tumor of the dermis that is quite rare. Located at the site where the secretion of the eccrine sweat gland is released. The formations are painful, usually deep in color. Slowly growing, mostly benign.
Basal cell carcinoma is a malignant tumor that is not prone to metastases. Outwardly it looks like a small tubercle with smooth and shiny skin. The formation grows into the surrounding tissues.

Treatment methods for seborrheic keratosis

Self-treatment of seborrheic keratosis is dangerous to health. There is a possibility of injury to the tumor tissue, which will provoke their accelerated growth. Therefore, to make a diagnosis and determine a treatment method, you must consult a doctor.

A complex of drugs is often prescribed. These can be ointments, creams and gels for external use. Solutions intended for injection are also common. They must contain active acids that destroy tumor tissue. Cytostatics are often used, due to which pathological cell division is inhibited or completely stopped.

To get rid of discomfort and itching, steroid drugs are prescribed, for example, Mardil Zinc Max and Lorinden A. They relieve inflammation and have an antiseptic effect.

There are other methods of dealing with keratomas:

Laser removal. No pain, minimal risk of skin damage, and the ability to remove tumors even in hard-to-reach places. After the procedure, the patient recovers within a few days. Complications do not appear.
Cryotherapy. In this case, the affected area is treated with liquid nitrogen, the temperature of which is –196° C. The procedure is carried out over several minutes, taking into account a break. After cryodestruction of the keratoma, it gradually dies, and soon new, intact skin cells appear.
Use of radio waves. In this case, the tumor is excised using a radio knife. It looks like a normal surgical removal. The advantage is that the radio knife makes small incisions in the skin. The risk of capillary damage is minimal.

When you can't do without surgery

Surgery to remove seborrheic keratosis is necessary in any case. Even a small tumor causes discomfort, looks unsightly and spoils a person’s appearance.

You should urgently seek medical help if the tumor begins to rapidly increase in size, itching, pain and sudden bleeding for no reason appear. All this can be a signal of the development of cancer.

Surgical removal of keratoma using a scalpel is the most common method. The tumor is cut, and a scar or scar remains at the postoperative site. If there is a suspicion of oncology, the excised tissue is taken for histological examination.

Traditional medicine recipes for keratosis

Folk remedies are used with extreme caution, only after consulting a doctor. The use of any alcohol tinctures, the aggressive components of which can cause the transformation of the keratoma into a malignant tumor, is prohibited.

It is worth paying attention to these recipes:

Grate small beets on a fine grater. Place the pulp in a thin cloth or gauze. Apply to the affected area daily for several hours (approximately 4 hours).
Make compresses based on burdock (a decoction of the plant will do).
Use crushed propolis in a similar way.
Apply a cut aloe leaf to the keratome. Secure it with an adhesive plaster or bandage. It is advisable to wrap it with film. Do the procedure before bed.
Finely chop the celandine or pass through a meat grinder. Mix with animal fat (preferably pork) and treat the keratomas several times a day.
Grate raw potatoes. Wrap in gauze and apply to the tumor 3 times a day.

It is worth noting that such therapy is designed for a long time. It will take several weeks to see the first results, and complete disappearance of the disease is sometimes achieved by treatment over several years.

Measures to prevent seborrheic keratosis

To prevent the development of seborrheic keratosis, the following preventive measures must be taken:

do not stay in the sun for a long time, use sunscreens and lotions, avoid burning the skin;
do not be nervous, protect your body from stress;
create a balanced diet that contains all the necessary vitamins and nutrients;
observe work and rest schedules, sleep enough hours;
play sports, lead a healthy lifestyle.

Forecast

As a rule, seborrheic keratosis occurs in elderly or pre-elderly people. If the formation is not malignant, it does not pose a threat to human life and health. Only an inconvenient location, discomfort during movement or aesthetic unattractiveness force people to consult a dermatologist.

Seborrheic keratosis (or basal cell papilloma) is a non-inflammatory skin disease, the hallmark of which is excessive thickening of the stratum corneum of the epidermis and a delay in normal cell exfoliation.

In most cases, this pathology is diagnosed in people over 40 years of age. However, more often patients over the age of 50 come to medical institutions with such a complaint, and therefore it is often called a senile wart.

Despite the fact that such neoplasms do not have a racial, territorial or gender dependence, data from the World Health Organization shows that this problem occurs 36% more often in women than in men. Seborrheic keratosis of the facial skin seriously spoils the appearance, makes you feel shy about others, and avoids taking photos and videos, so it is important to know what it is and how to treat the pathology.

What kind of disease is this

Basal cell papilloma is a benign tumor that is formed from epidermal cells and appears as spots. Its first symptoms can be found in almost every person over 50 years of age.

In childhood and adolescence, the upper layer of the epidermis is thin because it is steadily exfoliated. As we age, the skin becomes less able to shed dead cells on the surface and becomes rougher. This is due to the physiological thickening of the stratum corneum, which, as a rule, goes unnoticed. However, its uncontrolled abnormal increase leads to the appearance of single or group neoplasms, which in most cases are benign.

Often the disease affects the chest, neck and entire back, but seborrheic keratosis of the facial skin causes the most problems, as it causes a lot of complexes and decreased self-esteem in patients. As a rule, this anomaly develops slowly and does not degenerate into a malignant tumor.

Varieties

In modern practical medicine, there are 9 main types of pathology:

Flat - the formation slightly rises above the healthy integument and has bright pigmentation.
Irritated - microscopic examination reveals multiple leukocytes in the superficial layer of the dermis and inside the tumor itself.
Reticular - upon histological examination, thin strands of pigmented epithelial cells are observed, which are connected to each other and externally resemble a looped network.
Clear cell melanoacanthoma is extremely rare and includes horny cysts consisting of melanocytes and keratinocytes. In most cases, it is localized on the legs and looks like flat spots.
Lichenoid - involves the development of inflammation under the crust.
Clonal like epithelioma - characterized by plaques in the form of warts, which consist of keratinocytes.
Keratotic is a small benign formation that includes parts of the epidermis and cysts of the stratum corneum.
Follicular inverted - characterized by many foci of keratinization in the form of epithelial layers with a dense center.
Cutaneous horn is a rather rare type, a pathology in the form of a cylinder that protrudes above the surface of the integument. Most often it is diagnosed in the elderly and has a high risk of degeneration into a malignant tumor.

Factors of occurrence

Despite a large number of medical studies, it has not yet been possible to establish the exact causes of seborrheic keratosis. Today there are many theories about its origin.
For a long time, doctors were inclined to believe that the disease was viral in nature. However, these data were refuted in the process of scientific development. Then hypotheses were put forward about the effects of sunlight, oily seborrhea and lack of vitamins.

Long-term observations have made it possible to establish that the main risk group consists of people whose blood relatives suffered from this disease. Thus, the main reason for this type of papillomas was called a hereditary predisposition. Pathology can also appear due to natural aging or due to the following factors:

excessive exposure to UV rays;
smoking;
skin injuries;
presence of chronic diseases;
decreased immune defense;
frequent and uncontrolled use of hormonal medications;
pregnancy.

Typical signs

Seborrheic keratosis is distinguished by easily recognizable and characteristic symptoms, the main of which is the appearance of spots. As a rule, they are located on the back, chest and neck, much less often on the scalp, face, and external genitalia. Only the palms and soles of the feet are not affected by the disease.

Papillomas can be of various sizes, on average their diameter ranges from 2 millimeters to 6 centimeters. The shape is round or oval with clear edges and raised above the skin level, which often causes itching. The color of the tumors is yellow, pink, cherry or black, and their surface looks like several small flaky warts that are covered with a thin crust. They can bleed even with minor mechanical damage. As the disease progresses, small black inclusions form on the crust, which slowly thicken, covering the new growth with cracks.

The spot itself is soft, but over time the crust takes on a denser shape and the edges become like jagged edges with irregular boundaries. Sometimes the keratome may acquire sharp ends.

The clinical picture directly depends on the stage of development of the pathology. There are three main stages:

Pigmentation - characterized by the appearance of single or multiple yellow-brown spots that resemble a xanthoma in appearance. At this stage, the formations are characterized by a smooth surface and do not rise above the level of healthy skin. Such symptoms can also appear in young people if they are overly interested in tanning without proper protection from the sun's rays.
Nodules - appear at the site of spots. Despite the progression of the disease, the lesion still remains smooth and does not harden.
Keratolic stage - represents the final stage, at which most of the characteristic symptoms are observed. A papilloma is formed, which is similar in appearance to an ordinary wart. The color of the tumor changes to gray-black or becomes a darker shade of brown, making it very noticeable to others. The surface is covered with dense scales.

Some patients mistake such formations for ordinary wounds and try to remove the scales themselves. Most often this happens in the case of seborrheic keratosis on the face, as it causes the most inconvenience. However, such attempts can lead to the onset of severe bleeding, which will be extremely difficult to stop.

Diagnostic methods

To accurately identify the disease, it is necessary to visit a dermatovenerologist, who can confirm senile papilloma at the first appointment. Due to the recognizable and specific clinical picture, a routine medical examination is sufficient to determine it. However, if there is the slightest doubt or suspicion of a malignant nature, patients are prescribed a biopsy.

For this procedure, a small section of tumor tissue is taken and sent for histological examination. Microscopic examination reveals a significant increase in the stratum corneum, which in some places even grows into the thickness of the epidermis, which leads to the formation of cystic cavities. Histology makes it possible to distinguish the formation from similar problems such as wart vulgaris and basal cell carcinoma.

Treatment of seborrheic keratosis of the skin

This pathology in itself does not pose a danger or threat to life. The only trouble such patients encounter is discomfort and unaesthetic appearance. The decision to carry out therapy is made only by the patient himself, since from a medical point of view this is not necessary.

To date, there is no treatment for senile papilloma that could completely stop the process of thickening the stratum corneum. Therefore, the only possible option to help the patient is to remove the tumor if it causes inconvenience, is injured by clothing, or simply spoils the appearance. Modern medicine has a large arsenal of choice of treatment methods, which makes it possible to make seborrheic keratosis of the skin as invisible as possible.

For this pathology, conservative therapy will be ineffective. It may briefly slow down the development of the problem, but will not get rid of it completely. In such cases, doctors prescribe drugs for both internal and external treatment. Medicines based on zinc and containing urea show a good inhibitory effect.

If the scalp is affected, it is possible to prescribe special shampoos, as well as the use of retinoids and vitamins A and B. In case of basal cell papilloma, special attention is paid to the patient’s diet. A properly selected diet can significantly improve the condition of the skin, so it is recommended to exclude fried, fatty foods and flour products.

Surgical intervention

In order to get rid of seborrheic keratosis, and not just slow down the progression of the disease, surgical removal is performed. You can choose one of 4 main methods:

Laser radiation is the most popular among patients, as it is accessible, bloodless, and affordable with a good result of the procedure. To perform this, you need a special device that, under the influence of high temperatures, burns and evaporates the affected tissue. A small compaction remains at the site of the stain, which completely disappears over time.
Radio wave method - has a principle of operation similar to laser radiation; the damaging factor here is radio waves. Typically, this procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
Cryodestruction – involves treatment with liquid nitrogen. It has a destructive effect on the keratoma, causes its death and does not cause pain to the patient. Over time, patches of healthy skin form at the site of the wart.
Electrocoagulation – it is based on the use of an electric scalpel, which makes it possible to make neat and discreet incisions. After the procedure is completed, small stitches are placed on the wound. This method is the least traumatic and ensures rapid postoperative recovery.

Prevention

There are no guaranteed measures that can prevent seborrheic keratosis, since it is a consequence of natural age-related changes in the skin.

However, in order to delay or minimize the likelihood of developing this unpleasant disease as much as possible, it is necessary to regularly include deep cleaning procedures in cosmetic care. The best option is to use gels, scrubs and peels with an exfoliating effect. This will remove dead epithelial cells from the surface and prevent thickening of the stratum corneum.

For prevention, it is important to eat right. People at risk (with a hereditary predisposition) are recommended to eat fruits and vegetables and dishes high in vegetable fats every day. It is also necessary to drink enough fluid to ensure normal metabolism in the skin. Smoking, tanning, and neglect of sunscreen have a particularly negative impact on the appearance and health of middle-aged and older people.

And the main measure that is often forgotten is regular visits to a dermatovenerologist. If any tumors are detected on the body, you must immediately contact a specialist, since there is a high risk of a benign tumor degenerating into a malignant one, which will be the beginning of the cancer process. But even in the absence of obvious problems, it is recommended to visit a doctor at least once a year, especially after 40 years.

Seborrheic keratosis is a disease that is characterized by a pathological increase in the keratinized layers of the epidermis. According to statistics, keratosis most often affects people over the age of 40.

The causes of seborrheic keratosis are not yet fully understood. According to numerous research results, one of the main causes of keratosis is the human papilloma virus. Other suspected causes that may cause the development of skin disease:

genetic predisposition;
excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays;
pathologies of the endocrine system;
immune system disorders;
chemical effects on the skin;
frequent mechanical damage to the skin.

Seborrheic keratosis is classified as benign neoplasms that can degenerate into cancer cells. Sometimes it is quite difficult to distinguish keratosis from some oncological forms of neoplasms. For this reason, if a patient develops plaques, he is recommended to undergo a series of examinations. This is the only way to confirm or refute the presence of cancer cells.

Along with this, a large accumulation of foci of keratosis in some cases is a sign of the development of oncology of one of the internal organs.

Symptoms of pathology

With seborrheic keratosis, oval or round plaques with a clear contour of the boundaries appear on the skin. Their size can range from 2 mm to 6 cm. The surface of the spots is smooth or slightly scaly. Sometimes the neoplasms can resemble warts, which are covered with a finely scaly crust. The color of the spots can be different: yellow, black, dark brown, dark cherry or pink. The appearance of such spots is accompanied by mild itching.

Initially, a thin crust appears, which is easily separated. The slightest mechanical damage leads to bleeding.

Skin lesions can occur throughout the body, with the exception of the palms and soles. As the disease progresses, the crust thickens, the thickness of which can reach 2 cm. Upon examination, black dotted inclusions can be seen in them.

Flat. This species is characterized by neoplasms that are flat in shape and slightly raised above the surface of the skin with strong pigmentation.
Reticular. It is characterized by the presence of highly pigmented plaques; horny cysts form on the surface of the skin.
Inflammatory. The patient exhibits signs of an inflammatory process (in neoplasms).
Irritated. Lymph infiltration is observed on the surface of the plaques.

Treatment of keratosis is not always necessary. If the disease does not cause discomfort, and no cancer cells were detected during the diagnostic process, the patient may refuse treatment. In the future, you will need to undergo routine examinations to make sure that the neoplasms have not transformed into malignant ones.

Treatment is necessary in cases where the following symptoms are observed:

rapid growth of the tumor;
frequent damage to plaques due to their contact with clothing;
the presence of an inflammatory process in the growth or its suppuration;
aesthetic inconvenience (if keratosis forms on the face or other open areas of the body).

Treatment of keratosis

Keratosis of the skin is treated by removal, which leaves barely noticeable scars.

This procedure does not cause any particular difficulties, since seborrheic keratosis does not affect the deep layers of the epidermis. Treatment is also possible with medication, which is carried out at home with steroid-containing ointments, gels or creams. Keratosis, which is treated with medications, cannot be cured, that is, therapy only relieves the discomfort and irritation that is caused by the skin disease, but does not remove the tumors themselves.

Modern medicine offers several ways to get rid of pathological plaques:

Laser removal. This method of treating keratosis is considered one of the best. The procedure is performed using a laser beam, which bloodlessly burns out plaques and leaves no visible scars.
Radio wave scalpel. Removal of the unnecessary layer of epithelium is carried out according to the same principle as laser treatment.
Cryodestruction. A painless way to remove plaques. New growths are cauterized with liquid nitrogen.
Curettage. It is used in the presence of small plaques. Removal is carried out using mechanical cleaning with a special tool. Curettage is often combined with electrocoagulation.
Electrocoagulation. Burning out keratosis using high-frequency current. After this procedure, small scars may remain.
Chemical removal using trichloroacetic acid.

Traditional medicine

Treatment with folk remedies requires a long period of time and will take several months. Before using one of the recipes and treating keratosis yourself at home, it is recommended to consult a doctor and make sure there is no allergic reaction to a particular ingredient.

The most common recipes that can be used at home:

An ointment made from ground juniper leaves and bay leaves mixed with butter.
Balm from unripe walnuts. The nuts are poured with warm vegetable oil and infused for 24 hours.
Lotion made from buckwheat decoction.

You can apply compresses of aloe and grated raw potatoes to the plaques, or wipe the growths with apple cider vinegar.

Prevention of seborrheic keratosis involves taking all the necessary vitamins, proper nutrition and giving up bad habits. It is worth avoiding stressful situations and providing the body with proper rest.