Actinic Keratosis

​​​​Actinic keratosis often develops on areas of the skin that get the most sun exposure, including the face, lips, ears, forearms, scalp, neck, and back of the hands.

Symptoms of actinic keratosis include:

• dry, rough, and scaly patches of skin

• raised spots that may look like a rash or acne breakout

• scaly patches from 1cm to 2cm in size

• scaly patches that are skin-coloured, pink, red, brown, white, yellow, or grey

• itchy, burning, bleeding, sore, or crusty areas of skin

• a dry, scaly lip that never heals

• white patches or loss of colour on the lips

• a growth on the skin that looks like an animal's horn

The most common cause of actinic keratosis is exposure to skin-damaging ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or indoor tanning equipment.

Risk factors for developing actinic keratosis include:

• having blonde or red hair

• having blue or green eyes

• having a fair or light complexion

• a history of multiple or severe sunburns

• a weakened immune system

• being over 40 years old

• living in a sunny country

• working outdoors

• using tanning beds

If you have symptoms of actinic keratosis, we recommend making an appointment with one of our consultant dermatologists in our Skin Health centre. 

Your consultant will be able to make a diagnosis of actinic keratosis by carefully examining your skin at your initial consultation. To confirm their findings, they may need to take a small biopsy of your skin to send to the lab for analysis under a microscope.

You can reduce your risk of developing actinic keratosis by: 

• protecting your skin from the sun – always use a high SPF (over 30), broad-spectrum suncream, wear clothing that covers your skin, including a hat, and seek shade where possible 

• avoiding artificial UV light – don’t use tanning beds or lamps 

• checking your skin regularly – if you notice any changes or new growths, make an appointment with one of our dermatologists as soon as possible 

The main complication of actinic keratosis is its progression into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. It’s therefore important to see a dermatologist as soon as you can if you notice symptoms of actinic keratosis. There are several treatments available to effectively treat actinic keratosis and prevent cancer from developing.

Other complications of actinic keratosis are: 

• increased risk of developing other skin cancers 

• discomfort such as itching, bleeding, and soreness 

Your consultant will recommend the most effective treatment for you based on your symptoms and the appearance of your actinic keratosis

Treatment options include:

• prescription creams and gels

• cryotherapy – to freeze the patches so that they turn into blisters and peel off the skin

• chemical peels –  to destroy unwanted patches in your top layer of skin, and as the skin heals, a new, healthy layer of skin will grow

• laser surgery –  to remove patches from the face, scalp, and lips

• surgery – to cut out or scrape away the patches

• photodynamic therapy (PDT) – to destroy precancerous skin cells using light

In most cases, actinic keratosis can be treated and cured, but there’s a small possibility it will come back or that new patches may develop. Regular skin checkups at our Skin Health centre are recommended after treatment.

At Welbeck, our dermatologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.