Treatment of actinic keratosis

Actinic keratosis is a skin lesion that develops under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. It manifests as skin roughness and flaking on exposed areas of the body. At first glance, the changes may seem minor; however, you should not neglect a visit to the doctor, since there is a risk of complications.

At the «Oxford Medical» clinic, patients can undergo accurate diagnostics and treatment of actinic keratosis in line with modern protocols. Our doctors analyse not only the nature of the lesion, but also the factors that contributed to its appearance, which makes it possible to choose the optimal therapeutic approach and prevent further progression of the disease.

If you have noticed symptoms of keratosis, contact the specialists of «Oxford Medical» – we will provide high-quality diagnostics and effective treatment in comfortable conditions.

You can make an appointment by phone or via the online booking form.

The main mechanism of solar keratosis development is chronic ultraviolet damage to cells, which leads to their atypical behaviour and disruption of the normal keratinisation process.

The key contributing factors include:

• prolonged exposure to sunlight;
• a history of frequent sunburns;
• fair skin phototype;
• age-related changes and reduced skin repair capacity;
• work or active recreation outdoors;
• weakened immune system.

Taking these factors into account helps assess the risk of developing and recurring solar keratoma and to build an effective prevention strategy.

Actinic keratosis of the skin most often forms on areas that have been exposed to sunlight for a long period of time.

The most common localisations of actinic keratosis are:

• face: forehead, nose, cheeks, temples;
• ears and neck;
• hands and forearms;
• décolleté and shoulders.

Lesions usually occur on exposed areas that have been subjected to prolonged sun exposure. Keratomas on the face are common; they form in zones with the highest insolation and may have a different appearance depending on the degree of keratinisation. Keratosis on the hands is no less frequent, as the skin of the forearms and the backs of the hands remains open and is more vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation.

Actinic keratosis is a precancerous condition that develops as a result of cumulative ultraviolet damage to skin cells. Gradual structural changes in the epidermis may lead to disruption of the normal keratinisation process, which over time increases the risk of malignant neoplasms. Special attention is paid to lesions on the lips, where actinic cheilitis may develop – a condition with an increased risk of malignancy and a more aggressive course.

In addition to the risk of malignancy, actinic keratosis may have other consequences. Over time, lesions can enlarge, spread to new areas and evolve into thicker and more persistent forms of keratinisation, which complicates further treatment. Patients may develop chronic cracks and superficial skin defects, which increase the risk of secondary infection.

Such complications indicate progression of photodamage and require timely evaluation by a dermatologist. Early detection of actinic keratosis significantly reduces the risk of malignant transformation and allows the use of gentle and effective treatment methods.

Diagnostics of actinic keratosis is based on a combination of clinical examination and instrumental methods that allow a detailed assessment of the lesion structure and differentiation from other conditions with similar features. During the examination, the doctor performs differential diagnosis with other conditions that may have a similar appearance, for example with manifestations such as keratoderma on the hands, which require a completely different therapeutic approach.

An important method for detecting actinic keratosis is dermatoscopy, which makes it possible to examine the skin under magnification and identify characteristic signs: uneven keratinisation, pigmentation changes, specific vascular patterns and microstructure of the epidermis. Dermatoscopic criteria help accurately determine the type of keratosis and assess its potential activity.

In situations when clinical and dermatoscopic data are insufficient or there is a suspicion of malignant transformation, histological examination may be recommended. Biopsy makes it possible to confirm or exclude dysplastic changes and determine the extent of tissue involvement.

Accurate diagnostics is a key step in choosing the treatment strategy, since different forms of actinic keratosis require an individual approach and careful follow-up.

The total cost of treating actinic keratosis depends on the complexity of the disease and the chosen type of therapy. After conducting a comprehensive diagnosis, a dermatologist draws up an individual treatment program. In some cases, a dermatologist consultation is required. Make an appointment with a doctor now. You can find out the prices for services here. At Oxford Medical you will receive high-quality medical services in Kyiv and Irpen.