Seborrheic keratosis is a skin disorder that is characterized by the growth of wartlike lesions that originate from keratinocytes. These lesions can bleed and are irritated when they are rubbed by a cloth causing friction. Friction makes the lesions itch. These lesions are usually very ugly and they vary in shape, color and size. They range from light tan to black and can be as big as an inch. These growths can also be flat or conical. Seborrheic keratosis attacks various body parts like the face, chest, hands, lips and neck. The lesions can also be greasy. This type of keratosis has higher chances in women when they are pregnant or have taken estrogen. This puts them at a higher risk than the rest.
Seborrheic keratosis is not a cancerous skin disorder. This means that at no time will seborrheic keratosis lead to skin cancer of any kind. It is harmless and therefore it is not dangerous. You can have seborrheic keratosis but you can forget that you have it.
Because seborrheic keratosis is not dangerous, treatment is not necessary. Treatment for this skin disorder is only needed to improve the skin’s appearance for cosmetic reasons. Seborrheic keratosis has ugly lesions and this can really lower the level of self-esteem of girls as they really care about their beauty and how they look. This kind of keratosis does a lot of damage to the confidence of females especially if it occurs on the face. Treatment in such a case has to be sought.
Seborrheic keratosis is however treatable. There are numerous ways that this skin disorder can be gotten rid of. Your dermatologist can do this for you. The most common of the treatments are electrocautery, cryosurgery, use of lasers and curettage. There are home remedies for this skin condition. You could do cold compression, cut off the growth, and take vitamin D supplements, use hydrogen peroxide or glycolic acid. In electrocautery, the dermatologist burns the lesions with electronic current. This method leaves scars. Cryosurgery is the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze the lesions, in curettage; the skin is scrapped off by special equipment. Laser use an intense beam of light to burn the growth.
In conclusion, seborrheic keratosis does not pose any risk. The only reason why you need to seek treatment for seborrheic keratosis is cosmetic. You can also seek treatment if the lesions are bleeding and are irritated.