Actinic keratosis is a common skin condition that a dermatologist often identifies. Actinic keratoses are routinely treated in most cases; however, the need for this treatment is being questioned. Squamous cell carcinomas may develop from Actinic Keratosis Santa Barbara; hence, you should treat all actinic keratoses. Actinic keratoses may also be equated to squamous cell cancer by some.
If so, has your dermatologist advised you of this fact? Due to misconceptions that individuals have regarding these growths and skin cancer, you may have some uncertainty about what this implies for your health. The truth about actinic keratoses misconceptions may be found by continuing to read.
Light-skinned people are more likely to get actinic keratoses
Actinic keratoses (AKs) may develop into squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated. Sun exposure and tanning beds can contribute to the development of AKs. Dermatologists say that patients over 40 with fair skin, blonde or red hair, blue or green eyes, freckled or sunburned skin, a weakened immune system, and occupations involving polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as coal and tar are more at risk of developing advanced Kaposi’s sarcomas (AKs).
In individuals with darker skin, actinic keratosis and skin cancer are more prevalent; nevertheless, you can find them in people with any skin tone. As a result, many patients are not using sunscreen or any other sun protection.
Actinic keratoses are not dangerous
Many individuals fail to recognize the gravity of the threat posed by actinic keratoses since the condition does not progress to cancer. Even while most actinic keratoses are entirely harmless, their existence indicates that the region has been damaged by the sun, which increases the risk that the skin may become cancerous.
Actinic keratoses do not need treatment
If you have one actinic keratosis, you may hesitate to bother with therapy since it seems unnecessary. It is essential to keep in mind that if you already have one of these lesions, you have a higher risk of developing further ones. If you have many actinic keratoses and let them go untreated, the likelihood that one or more of those actinic keratoses may progress into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a kind of skin cancer, increases. You should treat actinic keratosis as soon as possible as it may lead to the development of squamous cell carcinoma, which, if left untreated, can be fatal.
Skin cancer is not life-threatening
Skin cancer is the most prevalent type of disease seen in the United States. The fact that so many people acquire malignant growths on their skin and that these growths are so readily treated leads many people to underestimate the seriousness of certain types of skin cancer. Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, will be responsible for most skin cancer-related fatalities in 2017, according to predictions provided by the American Cancer Society (ACS). If you have one or more skin lesions, you should seek treatment from a dermatologist as soon as possible. Actinic keratoses are the most frequent kind of precancer, so you can do your part to preserve your health.
Although it may seem like AK identification and treatment are a waste of time, this is not always the case. Although an AK may never turn malignant, an AK is indeed a precancer. However, there is no way to determine whether a skin lesion is an AK or not. Separating myths from facts will enable you to take the right actions.
