{"id":3171,"date":"2019-01-29T07:03:55","date_gmt":"2019-01-29T07:03:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=3171"},"modified":"2021-03-25T15:27:22","modified_gmt":"2021-03-25T15:27:22","slug":"15-signs-of-seborrheic-keratosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-signs-of-seborrheic-keratosis\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Signs of Seborrheic Keratosis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Skin growths are unsightly and in most cases, scare the living daylights out of anyone who notices them appearing on their body. Doctors diagnose more than 90,000 new cases of melanoma, also known as skin cancer, every year.
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Men are most at risk of developing this terrifying skin condition. However, many people confuse melanoma with a skin condition called seborrheic keratosis \u2013 and it\u2019s easy to understand why when we take a look at the similarity in the appearance of the two disorders.
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Seborrheic keratosis defines pigmented, superficial epithelial lesions on the surface of the skin. These growths occur slowly over the course of many years, with affected individuals often not noticing the disorder in its early stages.
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Physicians and dermatologists remove seborrheic keratosis growths using one of three different methods. Cryotherapy freezes the lesion, causing it to die and fall off the skin. A similar treatment exists in electro-surgery, where the doctor uses electric current to remove the seborrheic keratosis. When all else fails, they turn to a scoop-like instrument to physically cut out the growth.
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If you\u2019re concerned about growths on your skin, here are eight signs of seborrheic keratosis. Assess yourself and seek medical advice for treatment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Round or Oval Shaped Lesions
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Individuals who are suffering from seborrheic keratosis, experience the growth of round or oval-shaped lesions on their skin. When first discovering the condition, it\u2019s typical for people to assume the worst and self-diagnose themselves with melanoma<\/a>, an aggressive form of skin cancer that claims the lives of over 10,000 Americans each year.
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If you find yourself noticing a growth on your skin, it\u2019s a prudent move to visit a dermatologist for diagnosis of your epidermis. Self-diagnosis almost always leads to the individual mistaking their condition for something worse than it is. So, get a professional opinion before you sign yourself up for chemotherapy.
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Seborrheic keratosis is not cancerous and doesn\u2019t require you to start a course of cancer treatment. Most doctors can remove the growth or growths using painless removal techniques. If you choose to leave the growth alone, you won\u2019t have to worry about the lesion turning into melanoma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. \u201cPasted On\u201d Appearance
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Melanoma has very different visual characteristics when compared to lesions <\/a>caused by seborrheic keratosis. Melanoma looks like a weeping sore in its most aggressive stages, and they often look like dark moles that don\u2019t match the same color or shape as other moles on the body.
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Lesions caused by seborrheic keratosis look like they are pieces of sand \u201cpasted on\u201d to your skin. The growths grow very slowly over time and become more prevalent if you spend time in the direct sunlight. It\u2019s common for fishermen and people that work in the intense sunlight hours of the day, to develop seborrheic keratosis lesions.
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Middle-aged men are most at risk of developing seborrheic keratosis and risk rises with age. The skin disorder is somewhat hereditary, and the risk of developing the condition increases if more than one family member or relative has it as well. Visit your doctor and ask them to examine your skin, as you may have lesions on your back as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Scaly Surface
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Melanoma has a different texture to its surface when compared with seborrheic keratosis lesions. The growths from the development of seborrheic keratosis often have a scaly surface that feels rough to touch.
As you rub your finger along the length of the lesion, you\u2019ll notice that it feels like you could pick it off of your skin. However, it\u2019s best not to irritate the growth as you may aggravate it and cause further growth and spread of the lesion.
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Seborrheic keratosis<\/a> growths typically stand proud of the skin. In some cases, the lesions look like clusters of warts, creating a dry and rough surface. If you trace your finger over the growth, you may feel a waxy texture.
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It\u2019s important to note that the lesions may occur anywhere on the body, except for the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It\u2019s also unusual for the growths to pop up on the back of the knees and the armpits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Varies in Size
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Seborrheic keratosis lesions vary in size. Most growths occur on the chest, scalp, face, abdomen, back, and shoulders of affected individuals. Some of them can be so small that people with the condition don\u2019t notice them for months until they gain enough size to be noticeable.
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The lesions typically remain small, but if left untreated, they may grow as large as 1-inch across. Larger growths are usually more challenging for medical professionals to remove and may require multiple treatment sessions if using a removal technique such as cryotherapy or electro-surgery to remove the lesions.
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Size is not an indication of malignant growth. As discussed, seborrheic keratosis is not cancerous, so you don\u2019t have to concern yourself with metastasis <\/a>of the lesions into other areas of the body. Visit your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Your physician will \u201cmap\u201d your skin for any signs of other lesions elsewhere on your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Color Variations
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Another reason why people confuse melanoma with seborrheic keratosis lesions is their color. Melanoma typically takes on a dark-brown or black color. The melanoma turns a darker color as it ages. In some cases, melanoma will look \u201cangry\u201d after exposure to the sun, where the tumor is inflamed <\/a>and begins to weep fluid.
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Seborrheic keratosis lesions have an earthy, tan, or brown look to them, with some growths looking black on occasion. These growths typically don\u2019t change color with exposure to the sun\u2019s rays or strong UV light sources.
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However, you may notice that the lesions do turn harder and take on a wart-like appearance if exposed to harsh environmental conditions, such as a few hours in the direct sunlight during the peak hours of the day. It\u2019s possible for lesions to turn dark in color as they age, but affected individuals usually have them removed before they notice any radical changes in color occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Itchy and Uncomfortable
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As with any skin disorder, the first symptoms and signs of seborrheic keratosis lesions are an itchy <\/a>surface that requires you to scratch it for relief. Itching symptoms may become more apparent after being in the sunlight for an extended period.
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Your skin doesn\u2019t like it when foreign invaders take up residence on its surface, and the itch is there to remind you that something is wrong with your epidermis. Affected individuals may not even realize the growth is there until itching symptoms start.
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The itching sensation from seborrheic keratosis lesions is highly irritating, especially after stimulation in the sun. It\u2019s vital that you don\u2019t scratch the growths as this may exacerbate the symptoms of the condition and cause the lesion to grow in size.
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If you\u2019re going out into the sunlight, cover up your seborrheic keratosis lesions with clothing. If the growth is on your face, consider covering it with a Band-aid to protect it from the sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Bleeding and Swelling
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The itching symptoms from seborrheic keratosis lesions can be reasonably irritating at times. However, it\u2019s critical to avoid scratching or picking at your growths. They may look like they\u2019re \u201cpasted-on\u201d to your skin, but we assure you that this isn\u2019t the case.
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Scratching and picking at lesions will cause a break the skin of the growth, causing it to swell and bleed<\/a>. Likewise, tight clothing may rub against the seborrheic keratosis and cause bleeding. Eventually, the bleeding will stop, and the wound will develop a scab that falls off after healing.
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To reduce the symptoms of swelling and itching, wrap a few ice blocks in a kitchen towel and apply the cold compress to the affected area. The ice reduces swelling and soothes the symptoms of itching.
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It\u2019s vital to note that lesions that won\u2019t stop bleeding may be a sign of melanoma. If you experience uncontrollable bleeding, arrange a consultation for diagnosis with your doctor immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Complications
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Seborrheic keratosis lesions rarely turn cancerous. However, there are cases where the growths develop into basal cell carcinoma (BCC.) This type of skin cancer accounts for eight out of every ten skin cancers diagnosed in the United States.
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BCC tumors typically affect parts of the body with exposure to the sun, such as the face, forearms, lower legs, and back of the neck. The tumors <\/a>grow very slowly and don\u2019t metastasize to other areas of the body in the same manner as melanoma.
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It\u2019s vital to know that seborrheic keratosis can co-exist with BCC, so it\u2019s best to get yourself checked out by a medical professional if you notice any signs of seborrheic keratosis lesions.
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Studies suggest that people with weak immune systems can run the risk of Seborrheic keratosis lesions developing into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC.) This aggressive form of cancer moves deeper into the skin and has a greater chance of metastasizing into other areas of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Forehead Blemishes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not everyone will experience this variation, but those with darker colored skin <\/a>will often notice the appearance of multiple lesions appearing on the forehead. These have a darker brown and waxy appearance and may appear like large moles \u2013 again this can be alarming for those that aren\u2019t familiar with the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might also notice these around the temple and around the neck. They may also resemble birthmarks \u2013 though of course a birthmark is present from birth and will not appear later in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people will find the look of these lesions unappealing, and the fact that they\u2019re around the face makes it hard to hide them or disguise them. While you may find them unpleasant though, it is important not to scratch them or to otherwise irritate them. This version of the condition is known as dermatosis papulose nigra and is familial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. This Pattern<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When trying to identify the nature of a particular condition, it is useful not only to think in terms of how it is presenting but also in terms of how the condition is progressing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, in the case of seborrheic keratosis, you should expect the flesh-colored, waxy papules to appear and then to grow slightly over time outward. They, in other words, will begin to protrude, at which point they will become a cutaneous horn or \u2018wart<\/a>\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, they will become \u2018pedunculated\u2019, giving them a stalk-like appearance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll also find that the appearance does slow down after a while. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. These Additional Characteristics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While some of this might mean little to you, there are several more specific characteristics of this condition that a physician can use when diagnosing the problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifically, you might notice that the lesion is exophytic, meaning that it grows outward. Likewise, it will usually have what would be described as a scattered distribution \u2013 appearing in groups and occasionally covering entire areas of skin \u2013 such as the back. And to use another slightly less fancy-sounding term\u2026 it is also somewhat \u2018brain-like\u2019 in appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, if you want to get extremely technical, then a doctor would refer to the condition as having a predominance of basal cells with a whirling sheet of squamous cells. This is due to irritation and can sometimes lead to confusion if it should appear similar to carcinoma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might also see a dermal lymphocytic infiltrate under the microscope, which basically means that a number of healing cells have appeared and are getting to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The thing to recognize is that while all this might sound very technical, it is useful to know that physicians have ways of knowing for certain the difference between seborrheic keratosis and cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Self-Limiting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another way that you can be more sure that the condition is seborrheic keratosis and not cancerous, is that it is self-limiting. That is to say that while the warts might appear out of nowhere, they should also stop and not grow any further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is not to say that seborrheic keratosis will disappear. Unfortunately, they won\u2019t disappear on their own and do need to be removed if you want to get rid of them. However, the fact that they don\u2019t continue to grow of their own accord, does provide a way to distinguish them from cancerous tumors which continue to grow unchecked. Remember: cancer spreads through the division of cells. Once this process begins, it will continue as more and more of the cells divide. So if it has been stopped in its tracks, it is possibly seborrheic keratosis. This does also means that most physicians <\/a>will take no action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although this is true, do keep in mind that this doesn\u2019t mean that you should not seek medical attention. After all, you can never be 100% sure when it comes to a self-diagnosis, so it is always important to get a professional opinion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Itching<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most seborrheic keratosis is not particularly itchy or uncomfortable, you might find occasionally that it does have slight itchiness \u2013 so don\u2019t rule it out for this reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it can be infuriating having itchy papules on your skin, it is important not to scratch them or damage them. This can cause a number of issues, from bleeding and irritation to potential infection <\/a>if bacteria should get inside the wound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you find the condition painful, then speak with your doctor about topical agents that you could apply to ease the discomfort. Likewise, consider taking a warm bath. You should find that any irritation subsides quickly on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Hands, Feet, and Leg<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Depending on where the blemishes appear, this can make them more or less likely to be seborrheic keratosis. For instance, if they appear on the dorsum <\/a>(top) of the hands, feet, and legs, then this might point to the likelihood of them being seborrheic keratosis. In fact, in this case, you give the condition a specific name which is stucco keratosis. We\u2019ve already discussed that you can get another version where they appear on the neck and face, which is another classification. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In general, looking for the different areas that the seborrheic keratosis appears is a useful method that doctors use to classify it. Seborrheic keratosis is often categorized into the following groups: basal cell papilloma, solid seborrheic keratosis, reticulated seborrheic keratosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anyone can develop seborrheic keratosis at any time, and it actually isn\u2019t known precisely what causes them. However, there are particular risk factors that make you more likely to develop them \u2013 one of which is age. As you reach the age of 50 and above, your likelihood of developing the condition increases. At the same time, it also becomes more likely if you have a family history of the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is useful to keep in mind, as it provides a good way to narrow down your line of investigation. In short, if you notice these blemishes appear and you know that a relative suffers from seborrheic keratosis, then you can start suspecting this to be a cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, keep in mind that cancer also has a genetic element, even though it is not 100% caused by genetics<\/a>. So if no one in your family has seborrheic keratosis but someone has had skin cancer, then this becomes something that you should investigate more.
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