All You Need To Know About Skin Lesion called Seborrheic Keratosis
All You Need To Know About Skin Lesion called Seborrheic Keratosis

What Is Seborrheic Keratosis?

Seborrheic keratosis is a waxy or scaly growth or skin lesion that can be black, brown, or tan in color. These growths tend to be thick and slightly elevated, resembling drops of dark candle wax on the skin.

The lesions can appear anywhere on the body except for the palms and the soles of the feet. However, they commonly grow on the face, neck, shoulders, chest, and back.

Some lesions itch, but they generally do not ache. Also, seborrheic keratoses are benign despite looking like atypical moles or melanomas.

Risk Factors For Developing Seborrheic Keratosis

Seborrheic keratosis can appear in virtually any individual. Some people are still more susceptible to seborrheic keratosis than others. Some factors that affect one’s chances of developing seborrheic keratosis:

  • Age. 30% of individuals will have grown at least one lesion by the time they reach 40 years of age. That figure rises to 75% for individuals aged 70 or older.

  • Heredity. People with a family history of seborrheic keratosis are more likely to develop the condition themselves.

Seborrheic Keratosis Vs. Skin Cancer

Seborrheic keratoses can be mistaken for either melanomas(pre-cancerous growths), causing anxiety in individuals with these harmless lesions. Key differences to help you differentiate seborrheic keratoses and melanomas:

  • Shape. Seborrheic keratoses are usually round or oval in shape. Melanomas tend to be asymmetrical with irregular borders.

  • Growth. Seborrheic keratoses grow slowly. Melanomas evolve quickly enough for the change to be noticeable.

Actinic keratosis is slightly harder to differentiate from seborrheic keratosis. However, it is linked to sun exposure, and its lesions may be surrounded by sun-damaged skin.

What To Do If You Have Seborrheic Keratosis

  • Don’t scratch your lesions or pick at them too much. They aren’t contagious, but they can bleed or become inflamed.

  • You may protect seborrheic keratoses from catching on your clothes by covering lesions with an adhesive bandage.

  • Do not remove lesions yourself, no matter what size they are. If you really want to get rid of it, a visit to your dermatologist is your safest bet.

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