Seborrheic Keratoses
Skin changes are a natural part of the aging process. Seborrheic keratoses are among the most frequently diagnosed skin growths in adults. While their appearance can sometimes be concerning due to their variation in color and texture, they are benign and pose no threat to your overall health.
What are Seborrheic Keratoses?
Seborrheic keratoses are common, non-cancerous skin growths that typically appear as a brown, black, or tan waxy lesion.
Often described as having a “stuck-on” appearance, these growths usually develop on the face, chest, shoulders, or back and are most common in older adults. As you age, seborrheic keratoses are more likely to appear. Seborrheic keratoses are benign, but they can become bothersome if they are itchy or irritated by clothing.
Professional Expertise
While these growths are medically harmless, they are frequently confused with other, more serious skin conditions. At Core Dermatology in Denver, we see tens of thousands of seborrheic keratoses annually. Our experienced team can quickly verify if a spot is a simple, benign SK or if it requires further testing to rule out other concerns.
How to Identify Seborrheic Keratoses (Symptoms)
These growths can vary in appearance, but they generally share specific characteristics. You can often identify them by looking for the following features:
-
Texture: They often have a waxy, rough, or scaly feel, resembling a “stuck-on” barnacle or a dab of candle wax on the skin.
-
Shape: Most lesions are round or oval and are slightly elevated (raised) from the skin’s surface.
-
Color: Pigmentation varies significantly, ranging from light tan to deep brown or even black.
-
Sensation: They are usually painless, though they can itch or bleed if caught on clothing or jewelry.
Local Insight: Many active Denver patients notice these growths becoming irritated by friction from hiking backpacks or ski gear layers. If a lesion is bleeding or painful due to this friction, insurance may cover its removal.
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause of seborrheic keratosis is not fully understood, though it is strongly linked to genetics and the aging process. It is important to know that these growths are not contagious and are not caused by poor hygiene. You cannot catch them from others or spread them to different parts of your body.
Common risk factors include:
- Age: They typically begin to appear after age 50 and increase in number with age.
- Family History: There is a strong genetic component; if your parents had them, you are likely to develop them as well.
- Sun Exposure: While primarily genetic, cumulative sun exposure may play a role in their density.
Professional Removal Options
Unless a growth is irritated, removal is usually elective. Unlike home remedies, which can cause infection or scarring, Dermatologists will choose the removal method that minimizes scarring which is crucial for lesions on the face or neck.
Cryotherapy (Liquid Nitrogen)
The provider applies liquid nitrogen to the growth to freeze it. This destroys the cells, causing the lesion to fall off naturally within a few days.
Electrocautery/Curettage
After numbing the area with a local anesthetic, the doctor uses an electric current to burn the growth or a special scraping tool (curette) to remove it from the skin surface.
Laser Therapy
For specific cases requiring high precision, we may use laser light to vaporize the growth while preserving the surrounding healthy skin.
Seborrheic Keratosis vs. Melanoma: When to See a Doctor
Warning Sign: While seborrheic keratoses are harmless, they can look very similar to melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer.
Always look for the “Ugly Duckling” sign. If you have many spots on your body that look similar, but one stands out because it is darker, changes shape, has irregular borders, or bleeds, it requires immediate medical attention.
Because Denver has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the U.S. due to our altitude, Core Dermatology recommends an annual skin check. We use advanced dermoscopy to ensure that a dark, irregular spot is definitely a seborrheic keratosis and not a melanoma.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Seborrheic Keratosis
Can I remove seborrheic keratoses at home?
No, you should not remove seborrheic keratoses at home. Picking at the growth or using over-the-counter freeze sprays can lead to infection, permanent scarring, and incomplete removal.
Does insurance cover seborrheic keratosis removal?
Insurance typically considers removal cosmetic unless the lesion is bleeding, itching, or inflamed. Your dermatologist can evaluate your specific case to see if it meets the medical necessity criteria required for insurance coverage.
Do seborrheic keratoses turn into cancer?
No, seborrheic keratoses are benign and do not turn into skin cancer. However, because they can look very similar to cancerous lesions, professional diagnosis is recommended to rule out malignancy.
What over the counter treatments can I try for seborrheic keratoses?
Sometimes lotions that contain an exfoliant, such as Amlactin lotion, can help with the texture of seborrheic keratoses. Unfortunately, there are no over the counter treatments that will make these growths resolve completely.