Actinic Keratosis
Actinic keratosis, or solar keratosis, may sound rare, but it is more common than you imagine. Actinic keratosis, while not a type of skin cancer in and of itself, is seen as a severe warning sign since if neglected, it has the potential to develop into squamous cell carcinoma. For the early detection and prevention of skin cancer, it is vital to comprehend and recognize AK.
What Is Actinic Keratosis?
A common skin ailment known as actinic keratosis (AK), often called solar keratosis or senile keratosis, is characterized by rough, scaly patches or lesions that appear on sun-exposed parts of the skin. It is considered a precancerous condition because, if untreated, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a kind of skin cancer, may develop from it. The ICD 10 code for actinic keratosis is L57 and denotes the condition.
Fair-skinned people, those with light-colored eyes, and people who spend much time outside without sunscreen are more likely to get it. It has a variation known as lichenoid actinic keratosis (LAK). LAK resembles standard AK lesions but exhibits additional lichenoid or inflammatory characteristics. A more prominent inflammatory reaction that resembles lichen planus, a distinct skin condition, may be seen in the affected skin. Almost the same treatment methods are followed for both conditions.
Seborrheic keratosis (SK) is a typical benign tumor-like development of the skin that is not malignant. Seborrheic keratoses can appear on many different body portions, especially those exposed to the sun. Older persons are more likely to have them. They pose no health risks and are not spreadable. Although seborrheic keratoses are primarily harmless, some people may find them unsightly. Although they don't need to be treated, removal may be done if they become sensitive or inflamed or for aesthetic reasons. A dermatologist can identify the condition and offer management advice for seborrheic keratosis.
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