Scraping Off Seborrheic Keratosis
You have tan growths all over your back. They are raised and sometimes they get itchy. You have tried scraping them off yourself but they seem to grow back. You could have seborrheic keratosis.
Seborrheic keratosis (SK) is one of the most common noncancerous skin growths. Although anyone can get them, they seem to strike middle-aged or older adults. Also known as basal cell papilloma, senile warts or barnacles, these growths form as a common sign of skin aging.
SKs can seem worrisome because they resemble warts, a precancerous skin growth or even skin cancers. Despite their appearance, SKs are no cause for alarm.
Seborrheic means “greasy” and keratosis means “thickening of the skin.” Despite the name, SKs are not known to be caused by an abundance of sebum in the skin, nor are they limited to areas of increased oil production. The exact cause of SKs isn’t known. However, some experts feel that an overproduction of skin cells can cause a thickening of skin in certain areas.
SKs are most likely hereditary. They tend to occur in men and women equally. They are often found on the trunk of the body and where the face meets the scalp. Sometimes SKs form during pregnancy, following hormone replacement therapy or as a result of other medical problems.
Some of these growths have a warty, rough surface, while others look like dabs of silly putty on the skin. They can range in color from white to black, but most are tan or brown. The appearance of SKs may change as one ages and it is even possible for them to fall off gradually over time. Unless changes include becoming sore or bleeding without healing, there is little cause for action. SKs may form singularly, but they often appear in groups.
SKs have no relationship to skin cancer and do not pose a health risk. Unlike moles, they won’t turn into melanoma. The superficial nature of SKs mean they can get bothered by clothing and grow.
Because these lesions resemble warts, many experts have speculated that the human papilloma virus (HPV) is the cause. While some studies have demonstrated an association with HPV, there is no definitive conclusion regarding causation.
While the lesions aren’t harmful, they aren’t pretty either, which is the primary complaint against them.
Several removal methods are available, including freezing the growths with liquid nitrogen, a procedure known as cryosurgery. Cryosurgery can be effective, but it doesn’t always work on raised growths. And after the growth heals, the area where the skin was treated can be lighter than the surrounding skin. For thin or flat growths, a special instrument with a sharp blade can be used to shave the growth off the skin. This technique is known as curettage.
An approach called electrocautery also may be effective. It uses an electric current to burn off the growth. Laser treatment can be used to remove SKs as well. In some cases, a combination of these techniques may be most effective.
There is one prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for topical treatment of SKs. The medication is a form of hydrogen peroxide, which needs to be administered in your health care provider’s office and the cost isn’t covered by insurance. But it is a safe alternative for people who wish to eliminate SKs and prefer not to use the other removal techniques.
If you are unsure as to whether or not you have SKs, be sure to consult a dermatologist who can examine them and provide an accurate diagnosis.
