What is Seborrheic Keratosis?

Many times there are warts and marks on the skin which do not appear to be harmful. However, they become troublesome with time. Seborrheic keratosis is one such condition that can be identified by wart-like growth on the skin, except for palms and soles. Mostly, these are not very problematic. People do seek treatment for aesthetic or cosmetic purpose, or because it may start irritating after some time or may become itchy.

Seborrheic keratosis is a type of noncancerous skin growth that progresses with age. Mostly, these marks are not contagious and neither are they harmful. At most, these are slightly annoying and may not be aesthetic. These are exactly the reasons why most of the people undergo treatment to get rid of these.

These keratoses or senile warts vary in shape and size and are usually from tan to dark brown having a waxy or stuck-on-skin appearance. While most of the dermatologists can take a look at it to identify it, in case of any doubt, a skin biopsy may be performed to rule out the possibility of skin cancer.

In this article we will discuss about seborrheic keratosis, how can it be diagnosed, treated, and much more.

Symptoms of Seborrheic Keratosis

Following are some of the symptoms of these senile warts that you can look out for:

Develop anywhere on the skin except on soles and palms
Start off as small and round bumps and transform into warts
It can either be flat against the skin or be raised
This can be brown, black, yellow, or grey in appearance
It can either be the size of a pinpoint or grow up to an inch
It is round or oval-shaped
It may itch at times

While the aforementioned symptoms signify harmless keratoses, in case you notice any of the following additional symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

Multiple growths developing in a short span of time
Bloody sores on your skin that are not healing quickly
Irritation and bleeding when the keratose or marking rubs against any cloth or surface

These may be the signs of something deeper, probably cancerous. It’s better to consult a doctor.

Seborrheic keratosis may not be harmful, but is important to be cautious and pay attention. Reason being, if you identify the symptoms well and know about it, you will be able to differentiate between this condition and others such as melanoma, which are deadly in nature. Further, knowing the symptoms also ensures that you are aware when there is anything out of the ordinary and can seek immediate medical attention.

Causes of Seborrheic Keratosis

In most of the cases, seborrheic keratosis is genetic and runs in the family. Research and studies have so far been unable to pick any specific cause for the same. The fact that these marks are harmless and can be treated easily if the affected person chooses to do so. Mostly, the causes are genetic.

Risk Factors of Seborrheic Keratosis

There are a few risk factors that may trigger your seborrheic keratosis-causing genes. These are:

Exposure to viruses
Chronic friction
Exposure to sunlight
If you are above the age of 50

However, this is mostly possible when you already carry the genes that may lead to the condition. The risk factors only serve as a trigger.

Diagnosis of Seborrheic Keratosis

In most of the cases, dermatologists can merely take a look and assess seborrheic keratosis. They may, additionally, use an instrument known as dermatoscope. However, they may run a few tests if they find something suspicious in your growth. These suspicions may usually happen in one or more of the following situations:

Change in appearance of the markings
Unusual growth in the keratoses
Only one type of growth, given seborrheic keratoses work in various ways
The growth being purple, blue, or reddish-black in colour
Pain and irritation in the growth
Bleeding in the keratoses

The dermatologist may also order tests in case of cancer suspicions. A skin biopsy is ordered to confirm the diagnosis. There are different types of skin biopsies:

Punch biopsy, wherein a punch-hole type device is used to get a tissue sample from the skin
Shave biopsy, wherein a lesion is shaved to get a tissue sample
Excisional biopsy, which is done using scalpels and sutures

Further, if any indication of cancer cells are found during the diagnosis, other relevant tests are performed.

Do make it a point to disclose your medical and genetic history to the doctor. Further, keeping a note on the progress of the wart helps as well.

Treatment for Seborrheic Keratosis

The most common treatment is the removal of the senile warts. This treatment is sought purely for cosmetic purposes or if the doctor recommends it due to some underlying, more serious condition. Here are a few common ways in which the dermatologist removes it:

Electrosurgery, in which electric current is passed through the keratoses to scrape off the growth. Of course, the area is first numbed.
Cryosurgery is an option wherein liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the growth of the mark.
Curettage is a method which uses a surgical instrument that scoops off the growth, in combination with the electrosurgery.
Ablation is a technique wherein the growth is vaporised using laser treatment.
A chemical peel is another way of treating the growth wherein solutions such as trichloroacetic acid is applied to the growth so that it peels off.

There are no side effects of the treatment except for usual discolouration for some time, along with slight tenderness and smoothness that comes due to the removal of the keratoses. Mostly, the markings do not regrow on the same part from where those were removed. However, you may get a new one on another part of your body.

Seborrheic Keratosis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment