home Audience 2 Treatment of seborrheic keratosis on the face. Seborrheic keratosis of the skin and its treatment. Factors that cause dry skin

Treatment of seborrheic keratosis on the face. Seborrheic keratosis of the skin and its treatment. Factors that cause dry skin

The skin is a human organ that is susceptible to many diseases as a result of exposure to negative environmental factors. Seborrheic keratosis is one of the common diseases, the characteristic symptom of which is the appearance of small tumors on the skin. They arise due to excessive thickening of the stratum corneum of the epidermis. To get rid of seals, you need to know the causes of their appearance, as well as how to deal with them.

Keratoses represent a group of skin diseases that are not prone to inflammatory processes. There are several varieties, including seborrheic keratosis. It is also called senile or senile, because neoplasms often appear after 30 years, and especially in pensioners. With age, the affected area may increase.

Several causes of seborrheic keratosis have been identified, but none of them have been fully proven. There is a version that it is age factors that provoke the development of keratosis. This theory has a significant drawback: why, in this case, does the skin disease not affect all elderly people?

It is assumed that seborrheic keratosis can be caused by the following reasons:

hereditary predisposition (the incidence of skin disease in close relatives is much higher);
prolonged exposure to the sun (UV rays);
changes in skin structure with increasing age;
friction, scratches, wearing tight clothing and other types of damage;
weakening of the protective function of the immune system;
negative impact of household and industrial chemicals (sprays, colognes, aerosols, detergents, poisoning in factories);
pregnancy in women;
endocrine disorders;
avitaminosis;
unbalanced diet, lack of variety of foods;
taking hormones (including contraception);
lack of vegetable fats in the diet.

The danger level of seborrheic keratosis

These tumors are benign and do not contain cancer cells in their structure, but there is some relationship with cancer tumors on the skin:

often seborrheic keratosis is a sign of cancer on internal organs;
keratosis can “mask” a malignant neoplasm growing among tumor cells (it poses a great danger because inoperable cancer can be detected at the last stage);
Cancer and keratosis are practically indistinguishable in appearance; they can only be distinguished by excision of tissue for histological examination.

It is worth noting that about 9,000 patients with seborrheic keratosis were found to have malignant skin cells.

Classification and symptoms of seborrheic keratosis

Scientists have identified several forms of keratosis, which differ not only in the provoking facts, but also in their symptoms.

dry skin;
the appearance of light pink or yellow nodules on the skin;
inflammatory process in the affected areas;
neoplasms arise on the hair follicles, so broken hairs are visible at their top;
subcutaneous growth of the hair follicle;
common places of localization are limbs, buttocks, less often the face;
no itching;
most often manifests itself in childhood and adolescence.

small nodule that gradually takes the form of a papule;
skin pigmentation;
expansion of capillaries;
the size can vary from a few mm to cm;
the nodules do not cause pain or itch;
the presence of scales, the tearing off of which is painful (underneath you can find skin depletion or an erosive process);
the skin takes on a reddish and sometimes brown tint;
progresses slowly.

Wart-like keratosis:

neoplasms are rough to the touch;
have pronounced pigmentation;
most often localized on the upper extremities;
easily confused with the seborrheic form.

Horny (horny) keratosis:

skin growths, dark at the base and light at the tip;
conical shape (resembles horns);
group or single distribution on the skin;
there is a danger of developing cancer.

Seborrheic (senile, senile) keratosis:

neoplasms can be of different colors (yellowish, brown);
size varies from a few mm to 7 cm;
usually mushroom or oval shaped;
at the beginning of the development of the disease, a small spot appears on the skin, gradually developing and becoming crusty;
peeling and sometimes itching are observed;
most often appears on the upper limbs, back, chest, face;
the top layer is keratinized.

Seborrheic keratosis also manifests itself in several forms:

flat type (tumors are flattened, rise several mm above the skin level, and stand out strongly due to their dark shade);
irritated type (the tissues of the skin formations contain blood and lymph cells);
reticular type (similar to the flat type, characterized by the presence of keratinized projections).

It is necessary to pay attention if an inflammatory process develops in the keratomas or blood is released from them. This may mean that the tumors were injured as a result of mechanical actions. The inflamed type of seborrheic keratosis is the most dangerous and can cause malignancy.

Seborrheic keratosis should be differentiated from the following dermatological diseases:

Vulgar or common warts. Caused by human papillomavirus type II. They mainly grow on the back of the feet and hands. Elevations above the skin do not exceed 1 cm.
Basalioma is a malignant neoplasm, also called basal cell carcinoma. Develops from cells of the outer layer of the skin. Most often localized on the neck and front of the head. Initially, a painless pimple appears, which gradually grows and transforms into a nodule.
Melanoma is a cancer of the skin. It develops from birthmarks and skin cells that contain a lot of melanin pigment. In later stages it affects internal organs. The spots are asymmetrical.
Keratopapilloma or senile warts. Unlike ordinary warts, the appearance of keratopapilloma is influenced by the age factor, not the virus. Initially it is a pigment spot.
Eccrine poroma is a tumor of the dermis that is quite rare. Located at the site where the secretion of the eccrine sweat gland is released. The formations are painful, usually deep in color. Slowly growing, mostly benign.
Basal cell carcinoma is a malignant tumor that is not prone to metastases. Outwardly it looks like a small tubercle with smooth and shiny skin. The formation grows into the surrounding tissues.

Treatment methods for seborrheic keratosis

Self-treatment of seborrheic keratosis is dangerous to health. There is a possibility of injury to the tumor tissue, which will provoke their accelerated growth. Therefore, to make a diagnosis and determine a treatment method, you must consult a doctor.

A complex of drugs is often prescribed. These can be ointments, creams and gels for external use. Solutions intended for injection are also common. They must contain active acids that destroy tumor tissue. Cytostatics are often used, due to which pathological cell division is inhibited or completely stopped.

To get rid of discomfort and itching, steroid drugs are prescribed, for example, Mardil Zinc Max and Lorinden A. They relieve inflammation and have an antiseptic effect.

There are other methods of dealing with keratomas:

Laser removal. No pain, minimal risk of skin damage, and the ability to remove tumors even in hard-to-reach places. After the procedure, the patient recovers within a few days. Complications do not appear.
Cryotherapy. In this case, the affected area is treated with liquid nitrogen, the temperature of which is –196° C. The procedure is carried out over several minutes, taking into account a break. After cryodestruction of the keratoma, it gradually dies, and soon new, intact skin cells appear.
Use of radio waves. In this case, the tumor is excised using a radio knife. It looks like a normal surgical removal. The advantage is that the radio knife makes small incisions in the skin. The risk of capillary damage is minimal.

When you can't do without surgery

Surgery to remove seborrheic keratosis is necessary in any case. A neoplasm of even a small size causes discomfort, looks unsightly and spoils a person’s appearance.

You should urgently seek medical help if the tumor begins to rapidly increase in size, itching, pain and sudden bleeding for no reason appear. All this can be a signal of the development of cancer.

Surgical removal of keratoma using a scalpel is the most common method. The tumor is cut, and a scar or scar remains at the postoperative site. If there is a suspicion of oncology, the excised tissue is taken for histological examination.

Traditional medicine recipes for keratosis

Folk remedies are used with extreme caution, only after consulting a doctor. The use of any alcohol tinctures, the aggressive components of which can cause the transformation of the keratoma into a malignant tumor, is prohibited.

It is worth paying attention to these recipes:

Grate small beets on a fine grater. Place the pulp in a thin cloth or gauze. Apply to the affected area daily for several hours (approximately 4 hours).
Make compresses based on burdock (a decoction of the plant will do).
Use crushed propolis in a similar way.
Apply a cut aloe leaf to the keratome. Secure it with an adhesive plaster or bandage. It is advisable to wrap it with film. Do the procedure before bed.
Finely chop the celandine or pass through a meat grinder. Mix with animal fat (preferably pork) and treat the keratomas several times a day.
Grate raw potatoes. Wrap in gauze and apply to the tumor 3 times a day.

It is worth noting that such therapy is designed for a long time. It will take several weeks to see the first results, and complete disappearance of the disease is sometimes achieved by treatment for several years.

Measures to prevent seborrheic keratosis

To prevent the development of seborrheic keratosis, the following preventive measures must be taken:

do not stay in the sun for a long time, use sunscreens and lotions, avoid burning the skin;
do not be nervous, protect your body from stress;
create a balanced diet that contains all the necessary vitamins and nutrients;
observe work and rest schedules, sleep enough hours;
play sports, lead a healthy lifestyle.

Forecast

As a rule, seborrheic keratosis occurs in elderly or pre-elderly people. If the formation is not malignant, it does not pose a threat to human life and health. Only an inconvenient location, discomfort during movement or aesthetic unattractiveness force people to consult a dermatologist.

Which is manifested by excessive thickening of the stratum corneum of the epidermis. There are several types of this disease, seborrheic keratosis is the most common of them. In this article we will talk about the causes, symptoms and treatment of this pathology.

General information

Most often, the disease develops after 40 years of age, and therefore the disease is called senile or hydrocyanic keratosis. Tumors that arise do not disappear on their own. Over the years, their color, outline, and shape change. The disease can last and progress for decades.

Provoking factors

Seborrheic keratosis of the skin is manifested by benign skin formations (keratomas), which can be either single or multiple. To date, the reasons for this phenomenon have not been definitively established.

Suggestions that exposure to sunlight on the skin may be a provoking factor for the disease remain unproven. The theory that the pathology occurs in people with oily seborrhea or in those whose diet does not have enough vegetable oils, vitamins and excess animal fat is also unreliable.

Some scientists insist on the genetic nature of the disease. Since studies have shown that most often seborrheic keratosis, the treatment of which will be described below, develops in people in whose families similar cases have been observed in relatives.

This pathology can develop as a result of various external and internal factors, namely:

How dangerous is the disease?

Seborrheic keratosis is a benign tumor, but this pathology and aggressive types of skin cancer are still associated:

Among the cells of the keratoma, cancer cells can independently develop and remain undetected.

Seborrheic keratoses and cancerous tumors are sometimes so similar that they can only be distinguished by histological analysis.

A large accumulation of keratosis lesions may indicate cancer of the internal organs.

Symptoms of the disease

Seborrheic keratosis manifests itself as single or multiple elements, which are most often localized on the anterior surface of the chest and back, in rare cases - on the face, neck, scalp, posterior surface of the forearm, dorsum of the hand, and external genitalia. Very rarely, the disease affects the palms and plantar surfaces of the feet.

The shape of the tumor is most often oval or round, sizes - from 2 mm to 6 cm. The formations have clear boundaries and are often accompanied by itching.

Tumors are pink, yellow, dark cherry, dark brown, black. The surface of the neoplasms looks like a large number of flaky warts, covered with an easily removable thin crust, which begins to bleed at the slightest mechanical damage. Over time, the crust gradually thickens and can reach 2 cm, and black dotted inclusions form in it.

Types of seborrheic keratosis

There are several types of this disease:

Flat. With this form of the disease, flat, highly pigmented plaques are formed, slightly raised above the surface of the skin.

Reticular. Symptoms of this form of pathology, along with highly pigmented plaques, are horny cysts on the surface of the skin.

Irritated. In this case, lymph infiltration is diagnosed on the surface of the plaques. Plaques with this disease are usually flat in shape.

Inflammatory. In this form of the disease, inflammatory processes are present in the neoplasms.

In what cases should you consult a doctor?

If seborrheic keratosis is diagnosed, treatment is not necessary - as a rule, neoplasms do not cause any particular inconvenience. However, you should consult a doctor in the following cases:

The tumor begins to grow rapidly.

The tumor causes inconvenience because it constantly clings to clothing and is damaged.

The growth became inflamed, began to bleed, and there were symptoms of suppuration.

The tumor is localized on the face or other visible parts of the body and thus causes moral suffering.

Diagnostics

First of all, the doctor conducts an external examination of the patient. In some cases, additional examination and biopsy of the tumor may be required.

Histological examination makes it possible to exclude the development of diseases with similar symptoms, these include:

Seborrheic keratosis of the skin: treatment

Seborrheic keratosis growths do not affect the deeper layers of the skin, so they are relatively easy to remove. An almost invisible scar may remain at the site of the growth after the removal procedure.

Removal of seborrheic keratosis is carried out using the following methods:

Seborrheic keratosis: treatment with folk remedies

If the tumors do not cause any inconvenience, but you still have a desire to get rid of them, you can use alternative medicine recipes.

So, if you have seborrheic keratosis, how to treat it with folk remedies? First of all, you will need to be patient, since the treatment in this case will be quite long (several months).

The most effective methods:

Seborrheic keratosis is a benign form of growth that appears on the skin; manifests itself as dark brownish spots, as a rule, the spots are slightly convex, raised (see photo below). The surface of areas affected by seborrheic keratosis tends to become scaly and form greasy crusts that are prone to flaking.

Unlike, with which it should not be confused, seborrheic keratosis does not develop into a malignant pathology.

Epidemiology

Seborrheic keratoses are very common on the face and trunk in people who have reached advanced middle age, without gender preference (i.e., in both men and women equally). The dermatological disorder occurs primarily in the Caucasian race, while the Oriental and black races are rarely affected.

Causes

Etiopathological studies are still the basis for studying this disease. The only connection that scientists were able to prove was familiarity: Seborrheic keratosis appears to be genetically transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner.

There is no doubt, however, that the growth, and therefore the development, of seborrheic keratoses is enhanced by hormonal changes or irritation, although it is not the trigger: for this reason menopause, a time of high hormonal modulation, coincides with an increase in seborrheic keratoses.

Finally, some studies also suggest the possible involvement of ultraviolet radiation in the etiology of the disease, as seborrheic keratosis has been noted to occur in people who have exposed their skin to sun exposure. However, since the disorder occurs even in people who have not been overexposed to ultraviolet radiation, the debate about the influence of sun exposure in the etiology of seborrheic keratoses is still open. Therefore, further and more in-depth research is needed in this area.

Clinical manifestations

Typically, seborrheic keratoses begin as yellowish papules that turn brown and flake off over time. In truth, the color of the lesions can vary from hazel to brown or blue depending on the subtype of seborrheic keratosis that affects the patient. Additionally, although the lesions are more common on the face and torso, depending on the subtype of seborrheic keratosis a person suffers from, they can also occur in other parts of the body. (see paragraph “classification”).

Papules can be of different sizes, depending on the subject and depending on the area affected by the keratosis: in general, there are spots with a diameter of 1 millimeter to 1 centimeter, but there have been cases where the papules were even larger.

Often, seborrheic keratoses barely adhere to the skin and create the appearance of easily detachable tissue. It is precisely because of the barely adjacent feature with which seborrheic keratoses form on the skin that they are often destroyed, partially or completely, after injury.

Given the similarity with, seborrheic keratosis is called seborrheic warts, senile warts: Seborrheic lesions are not contagious and not transmitted and, as already mentioned, cannot develop into malignant tumors.

Symptoms

The lesions typical of this skin disease are usually asymptomatic and do not cause any discomfort. However, in some cases, the lesions may become irritated or cause itching and/or bleeding.

Classification

There are different subtypes of seborrheic keratosis:

Seborrheic acanthotic keratosis: This is the most common form of this disease and presents with diffuse light brown to dark brown pigmentation with pseudo-corneal cysts that tend to take on a yellowish color.
Acropostic seborrheic keratosis: Affects mainly the legs, lesions are multiple.
Hyperkeratotic seborrheic keratosis: A keratotic manifestation that tends to flake continuously.
Pigmented seborrheic keratosis or melanoacanthema: this form is manifested by multiple pigmentations, melanocytes are present in large numbers.
Painful (irritated) seborrheic keratosis: the manifestation of seborrheic keratosis is accompanied by irritation and other possible skin changes. Bleeding and redness of the damaged areas occurs. Typically, the infiltration of melanophages in the above-mentioned areas gives the spots a bluish color, sometimes causing diagnostic doubts (difficult to distinguish from).
Black papular dermatosis ( seborrheic keratosis on dark skin): Regarding this, it is not yet clear whether it can be considered a variant of seborrheic keratosis. It appears as small multiple hyperpigmented spots.

Diagnostics

A dermatologist must properly diagnose the disorder by analyzing each individual seborrheic wart to avoid misunderstandings: the signs left behind by seborrheic keratoses actually resemble those of much more serious skin diseases (squamous carcinoma, spinocellular carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma).

If the diagnosis of seborrheic keratosis is made correctly, removal of the warts will be futile (unless the disorder is a serious aesthetic problem in the eyes of the affected subject). Through dermatoscopy, a specialist can make the correct diagnosis and differentiate seborrheic keratosis from other skin diseases. Of course, the physician will also need to determine what type of seborrheic keratosis the patient has.

Treatment

As already mentioned, treatment by removing seborrheic warts is not necessary except for aesthetic reasons. In fact, the lesions are usually asymptomatic and cause no discomfort to patients. However, if seborrheic keratoses show unregulated and excessive growth, the disorder can have significant aesthetic consequences.

In this case, diathermocoagulation, cryotherapy, laser therapy, curettage or electrocoagulation are possible solutions to eliminate seborrheic keratosis. At the same time, these therapeutic approaches may be used if the lesions become irritating, causing itching, pain and/or bleeding.

Once removed it usually appears lighter than the surrounding skin. This hypopigmented area may remain hypopigmented throughout the patient's life. However, treatment results in permanent removal of the lesion, as it will no longer appear in the area where it was removed. However, this does not prevent the appearance of new seborrheic keratoses in other untreated areas of the body.

Prevention

There are currently no specific methods for preventing this pathology. It is recommended to limit exposure to the sun, avoid heavy tanning, follow the rules of a healthy lifestyle, avoid drinking alcohol and cigarettes, and maintain good hygiene.

To summarize

To consolidate the material, see the table below...

Disease	Seborrheic keratosis or seborrheic wart.
Clinical aspects	The disease is not contagious, non-infectious, benign. Appears as raised dark brownish spots; The surface of the papules is rough, characterized by scales and uneven crusts. Typically, the diameter of the spots varies from 1 mm to 1 cm. Sometimes the skin disease is associated with an irritating itching sensation.
Prevalence	Seborrheic keratoses occur in subjects who have reached advanced middle age, with no gender preference; The dermatological disorder occurs primarily in the Caucasian population, while it is rare in Oriental and black people.
Affected areas	Often the face and torso.
Differences from	Seborrheic keratosis is not a malignant form of cancer and does not result from exposure to ultraviolet rays, like the actinic form.
Causes	The reasons are not clear. It is probably genetically transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner. Increased by hormonal changes and immunosuppression (weak immunity).
Damage	Purely aesthetic
Classification	Seborrheic acanthotic keratosis; Acropostic seborrheic keratosis; Hyperkeratotic seborrheic keratosis; Seborrheic keratosis pigmentosa; Irritant seborrheic keratosis; Seborrheic keratosis on dark skin.
Possible treatments to eliminate seborrheic keratoses.	diathermocoagulation; cryotherapy; laser therapy; curettage (scraping with a curette); electrocoagulation.

Interesting

Thickening of the stratum corneum of the epidermis is the first factor in seborrheic keratosis. It refers to a dermatological disease that occurs in people after 50 years of age. The most common type of keratosis is seborrheic keratosis. It develops in people who have crossed the 40-year age threshold.

Seborrheic keratosis usually develops after age 40

Senile keratosis, senile warts and actinic keratosis are common names for seborrheic keratosis. Over time, the tumor changes and takes on different shapes and colors. But it doesn’t go away on its own. This type of skin disease progresses for decades.

Causes of the disease

Keratomas are benign neoplasms. Manifest as single or multiple lesions. Doctors say that age-related keratomas rarely degenerate into malignant neoplasms. The basic prerequisites for the occurrence of keratomas have not been thoroughly established.

Viral etiology and ultraviolet radiation are factors that have not been confirmed. The idea that people whose diet contains insufficient amounts of vitamins, vegetable oils or excess animal fats are more likely to develop the disease has also not been confirmed.

Seborrheic keratosis occurs in people whose relatives have suffered from the disease. Based on this there is an assumption of heredity. The disease develops due to age-related aging of the skin and is provoked by various factors:

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays.
Permanent skin damage.
Exposure to chemical aerosols.
Chronic diseases associated with the endocrine system.
Pregnancy.
Hormone intake and immune disorders.
Heredity.

Chemical aerosols increase the risk of developing keratoses

Why is keratosis dangerous?

Seborrheic keratosis or senile warts are a benign neoplasm. But there is a connection with skin cancers:

A large amount of seborrheic keratosis may indicate the presence of oncology of internal organs.
A malignant tumor is very similar in appearance to a keratosis lesion. Without histology analysis it is quite difficult to recognize it.
Cancer cells are able to develop between the cells of the keratoma.

Studies have shown that 10% of 100% of patients with keratoma have skin cancer of various forms.

Symptoms

Seborrheic keratosis or senile warts are localized on:

back and back along the entire surface of the forearm;
anterior surface of the chest;
on the head mainly in the hair part;
on the neck and face;
on the genitals.

Seborrheic warts (senile warts) reach sizes of 1 mm - 6 cm and have an oval or round shape. The appearance of senile warts is accompanied by itching. Their color changes and can be yellow, black, pink, brown.

The surface part resembles a flaky wart, which is covered with a thin layer of film. With minor mechanical damage it begins to bleed.

After some time, black dots and warts are observed and thicken. The size of a senile wart reaches 2 cm. The edges of the keratoma may have a jagged, pointed or convex appearance.

Keratosis is often located on the scalp

Existing forms of seborrheic keratosis

Keratosis is divided into forms:

Flat – slightly elevated above the surface of the skin.
Irritated - the upper layer of the dermis and the inner part of the tumor contains an accumulation of lymphocytes. This species is determined under a microscope during histological analysis.
Reticular form - thin compounds of epithelial pigment cells.
The wart-like form of seborrheic keratosis or clear cell melanoacanthoma is a fairly rare form that is characterized by a warty, round surface. This form affects the lower extremities.
Lichenoid keratosis is characterized as a tumor with an inflammatory process. Such modifications resemble lichen planus, mycosis fungoides, and lupus erythematosus.
Clonal keratosis. Occurs mainly in old age.
Keratotic papilloma. It is small in size, consists of part of the epidermis and cystic formations of horn cells.
Cutaneous horn is a very rare form that can develop into a cancerous tumor. Occurs in people over 60 years of age. It has a cylindrical shape that protrudes above the surface of the skin.

This type of keratosis occurs in 2 forms - primary and secondary. The nature of the emergence of the primary form is not known in detail; it arises without cause. Secondary form – dangerous degeneration into skin cancer. This can happen due to minor mechanical damage to the skin or a viral infection.

The cutaneous horn is one of the most dangerous formations

Treatment

Patients with seborrheic keratosis rarely seek help from doctors, taking advantage of the fact that the manifestations of the disease can be hidden under clothing. But some formations can itch, bleed and grow rapidly. In such a situation, the help of a doctor is simply necessary.

The course of the disease can be complicated by the inflammatory process and other unpleasant sensations that cause discomfort to the person. Also, medical care is necessary for people whose senile warts are in a visible place or receive mechanical damage from clothing or jewelry.

To radically eliminate the problem - seborrheic keratosis, you can perform cryodestruction. This therapy is carried out quickly and is accessible to almost all segments of the population.

The essence of therapy is to freeze formations, but no more than 1 mm. This therapy is suitable for the treatment of multiple keratomas. After cryodestruction of the keratoma, incomplete scarring of the skin occurs.

Seborrhea can also be treated with laser. The procedure is carried out without bruising or pain. It is used to remove warts on the neck and face. Sometimes a chemical removal method is used. But it is rarely used, since it is the one that can lead to scarring. To prevent the appearance of such formations and slow down the growth of existing ones, the doctor prescribes a complex of vitamins.

When you consume vitamin C up to 4 grams per day, the positive effect will not take long to appear. Therapy lasts up to 3 months, after a break. Vitamin C should be taken only in dosages prescribed by your doctor.

Cryodestruction of keratosis eliminates the problem, but leaves scars

Traditional methods

Treatment can be carried out using folk and well-known remedies. They are used not only locally, but also for a general strengthening effect. Treatment with folk remedies is one of the best ways. Let's highlight the most effective of them.

One of these remedies for getting rid of keratomas is aloe. It is used as a home method. The aloe leaf is cut lengthwise and the pulp is applied to the affected areas. The surface is fixed with a bandage, polyethylene on top and left overnight. In the morning, you need to remove the compress and lubricate the wounds with salicylic alcohol.
Propolis is a remedy that is used at home. Thin sheets of propolis are placed on the affected areas and secured with bandages. This compress is worn for 5 days. All folk methods give a positive effect. But it is worth remembering that keratosis cannot be completely cured.
Birch buds can be used in treatment. They are filled with medical alcohol in the proportion: 100 grams of buds per 100 grams of 70% alcohol. I lubricate the affected area with the resulting tincture 3 times a day. Course duration is 30 days. The main condition when using this method is complete protection of the skin from the sun's rays.
Bay leaf is used only for keratomas that cause pain. It is crushed and combined with homemade butter. The butter should not be salted. The course lasts 21 days, the keratoma is lubricated with the mixture 3 times a day.

It should be remembered that self-treatment does not always produce positive results. Only a doctor will help diagnose the disease and prescribe therapy. The duration of treatment and the result will depend on the prescribed therapy, but treatment of keratosis may not always be required. If it does not cause discomfort and there are no inflammatory processes.

Keratoses are a group of skin diseases, the common symptom of which is excessive thickening of the stratum corneum of the epidermis. One of the common types of keratosis is seborrheic keratosis, which develops after 30 years, but is especially common among people 40 years of age or older, and therefore it also received such names as senile keratosis, senile keratosis, senile warts. Tumors do not disappear on their own. Over the years, they change their color, shape and outline. The disease can last and progress for decades.

Causes and predisposing factors

Keratomas are benign skin formations that can be in the form of single or multiple elements and in rare cases degenerate into cancer. The causes of seborrheic keratosis have not been fully established.

Assumptions about viral etiology and the negative effects of solar radiation on the skin as a provoking factor have not found convincing evidence. Theories about the predisposition to the disease of people with oily seborrhea, about the occurrence of the disease in people whose diet contains insufficient amounts of vitamins, vegetable oils and excess animal fat are also unreliable.

The most common occurrence of seborrheic keratosis is observed in individuals in whose families there were similar cases of the disease in relatives, which is the basis for the assumption of a genetic predisposition. It occurs as a result of age-related aging of the skin and can be provoked by various external and internal factors:

excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays;
frequent mechanical damage to the skin;
chemical exposure to aerosols;
chronic diseases, especially those related to the endocrine glands;
immune disorders and taking hormonal drugs, especially estrogens;
pregnancy.

The danger level of seborrheic keratosis

Although the disease is considered a benign tumor, there is a certain connection between it and aggressive types of skin cancer:

Cancer cells can develop undetected and independently among keratoma cells.
A cancerous tumor can be so similar to a keratosis lesion that it can be very difficult to distinguish it externally, without histological analysis.
A large number of foci of seborrheic keratosis may be a sign of cancer of the internal organs.

Symptoms of the disease

The main symptoms of seborrheic keratosis are single or multiple elements, localized mainly on the back and front surface of the chest, less often on the scalp, neck, face, dorsum of the hand, back of the forearm, and in the area of the external genitalia. Very rarely, keratomas appear on the palms and plantar surfaces of the feet. Tumors often have a round or oval shape with a diameter of 2 mm to 6 cm, clear boundaries and rise above the surface of the skin, often accompanied by itching.

The color of the new growths can be pink, yellow, dark cherry, dark brown, black. The surface structure is often similar to many small flaky warts, covered with a thin, easily removable crust that bleeds with minor mechanical damage. Over time, black dotted inclusions appear in it, it gradually thickens, reaching 1-2 cm, and becomes covered with a network of cracks.

Although the entire formation has a soft consistency, the crust becomes denser, the edges acquire irregular, sometimes jagged outlines. Sometimes the keratomas become pointed or convex in the form of a 1 mm dome with a smooth surface and with black or whitish grains of keratin.

Classification and characteristics of various forms

For practical purposes, seborrheic keratosis is divided into forms:

1. Follicular hyperkeratosis
2. Seborrheic keratosis hyperkeratotic

Treatment methods

Treatment of seborrheic keratosis in the presence of individual elements on the face, neck, open areas of the body is carried out mainly by methods such as removal using:

or radio wave radiation using the device and the “Surgitron” technique of the same name (read about the technique in the article “”)

Cryodestruction with liquid nitrogen (the method is more often used in the presence of many keratomas).

Chemical 25%, 50% or pure trichloroacetic acid;
Electrocoagulation (you can get acquainted with the technique).

Applications with ointment containing 5% fluorouracil, prospidin ointment (30%), applications of solcoderm or 10% lactic-salicylic collodion.
Curettage, which uses metal instruments (curettes) with a diameter of 0.4 to 1.2 cm. This technique is often used in combination with electrocoagulation or cryodestruction.

Other conservative treatment methods are not effective, however, the use of large doses of ascorbic acid (0.5 to 1.5 grams 3 times a day) in many cases stops the development of keratomas and prevents the appearance of new elements. It is prescribed after meals for 1-2 months. 2-3 courses are conducted with a 1-month break.

Self-medication of seborrheic keratoses cannot be done, due to the need to differentiate them from other forms of tumors and the possibility of degeneration into malignant skin tumors.

Photos before and after treatment for seborrheic keratosis

Laser removal of keratomas

Same technique

Before and immediately after removal