Seborrheic keratosis is known by many alternative names. Aside from the term seborrheic keratosis, this condition is also known as basal cell papilloma, seborrheic warts, brown warts, barnacles, senile warts, seborrheic verruca, or senile keratosis. All of these refer to the same thing – it is an irregulation of in the condition of the skin. Seborrheic keratosis typically has an effect on individuals who are progressing in age. However, no alarm is needed for seborrheic keratosis is usually benign.
The skin augmentations caused by seborrheic keratosis differ in color for each individual. Colors of these skin growths often range from light tan to black. These skin growths also differ in shape. In some cases, round, while on the other instance they may appear oval-shaped. The keratoses would feel slightly elevated if you touch them. The texture can be compared to a wound’s scab. The lesions may appear like warts. However, unlike warts, seborrheic keratosis have no viral origin. The keratosis lesions may have some swelling within them. There are also occurrences wherein seborrhoeic keratosis lesions can look similar to lesions of melanoma cancer. Due to this resemblance, a skin biopsy is ought to be performed to rule out the possibility of a greater health risk particularly skin cancer.
Two of the different types of seborrheic keratoses are Dermatosis papulosis nigra and Stucco keratosis. Dermatosis papulosis nigra are frequently diminutive papules. In fact, this type of seborrheic keratosis can be visible in a few millimeters in size. The ones usually affected of this seborrheic keratosis variant are dark-skinned persons. On the other hand, Stucco keratosis is the type of seborrheic keratosis that, more often than not, can be seen as light brown to off-white in appearance and regularly located on the distal tibia, ankle, and foot.
Seborrheic keratosis is often described as having a “pasted on” appearance. This is because only the top layers of the epidermis have implications. Seborrheic keratosis is referred by some medical professionals as “seborrheic warts”; however, dermatologists agree that these lesions are usually not connected with the HPV virus responsible for warts.
Seborrheic keratosis can be determined by the “stuck on” appearance, horny pearls or cysts embedded in their structure. Seborrheic keratosis with darkly pigmented lesions cannot be easy to tell apart from nodular melanomas. As mentioned earlier, a skin biopsy should be carried out if in doubt and most importantly, treatment can be performed immediately by a doctor if necessary.