Actinic Keratosis – How To Stop It From Getting Worse

Known as a potentially cancerous skin condition, actinic keratosis is typified by skin that is scaly, crusty, and thick. Those who have fair skins, and those who are basically exposed to the sun frequently, are the ones who usually suffer from this skin condition. Actinic keratosis, when left untreated, can lead to being worsened in as far as leading to squamous cell carcinoma. Basically, the ideal thing to do is to stop actinic keratosis before it results in getting worse.

The most common type of skin cell known as keratinocyte can be affected by UV radiation leading to either mutation or failure.  The flaking, uneven skin is caused by the thickening of the epidermis. The characteristics of the skin result in making the skin appear to have a wart-like look.

If the real meaning of actinic keratosis removal is disregarded, something worse is prone to happen. Once the effect of actinic keratosis is disregarded, the most common condition that the skin can suffer from is squamous cell carcinoma caused by the damaging of the flat and thin squamous cells by the UV radiation from the sun. In order for one to avoid worse conditions that may eventuate as skin cancer, actinic keratosis must immediately be removed.

There are several actinic keratosis removal treatments that you can choose from depending on the severity of your skin condition as well as your budget. What is considered to be the most effective solution to this form of skin condition is laser treatment. However, this kind of treatment, particularly CO2 and Er-YAG may cost you a lot.

The use of a cream called 5-fluorouracil is also a way of curing actinic keratosis. Apart from being used in chemotherapy, this cream helps on preventing anomalous cells from reproducing. The irregular cells are the ones that absorb the fluorouracil quicker—that is why the healthy skin cells are not affected to the highest degree. Even though there are side effects when this cream is used, you can look ahead to having the best results.

The use of a cream called imiquimod also promotes treatment of actinic keratosis. However, this tends to bring agony when applied to the skin.

Another technique is electrocautery which refers to the burning off of areas that are affected by actinic keratosis. It is a type of cautery that is an apparatus utilized on overcoming damaged or infected tissues or sealing a wound by means of burning. The use of electrocautery is somehow similar to cryosurgery, which can also take off skin cells that are affected with actinic keratosis, but the latter makes use of extremely low temperature.

Ideally, you have to consult a doctor first before you go further on one of the mentioned treatments. Undergoing any treatment requires proper checking of your overall health. At the end of it all, you will be the one who is definitely benefit from removing your actinic keratosis.

Read More Articles on: Actinic Keratosis

Actinic Keratosis

Actinic Keratosis | Early Treatment Is Essential

Actinic Keratosis: How To Identify And Treat One