Seborrheic keratosis removal

Seborrheic keratosis — is a benign skin neoplasm that usually looks like a spot, plaque, or small growth with a rough, waxy, or wart-like surface. Most often, such formations appear in adulthood on the face, neck, trunk, or hairy part of the head and may gradually increase.

Seborrheic keratosis of the skin often does not hurt and does not pose a threat to health, however it may create aesthetic discomfort, become traumatized and, as a result, become irritated or bleed. In addition, some keratomas externally resemble other skin neoplasms, therefore it is important that they are assessed by a doctor.

At the «Oxford Medical» medical center, removal of seborrheic keratosis is performed after an examination by a dermatologist. The doctor determines the nature of the formation, assesses its size, color, structure, and location, and then selects the optimal method of removal. This allows the keratoma to be carefully removed, reduce the risk of skin trauma, and obtain a good aesthetic result.

The exact cause of the appearance of seborrheic keratosis has not been fully determined. It is known that such formations develop as a result of local proliferation of epidermal cells — the upper layer of the skin. Most often, seborrheic keratomas appear gradually: first in the form of a small spot, and over time they may become more raised, dense, and noticeable.

The main factors that may influence the appearance of seborrheic keratosis:

• age-related skin changes, especially after 40–50 years;
• hereditary predisposition;
• individual features of epidermal cell renewal;
• long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation;
• frequent irritation or trauma to separate areas of the skin.

According to NCBI Bookshelf, seborrheic keratosis is one of the most common benign epidermal formations, and the frequency of its appearance increases with age. At the same time, seborrheic keratosis at a young age is also possible, especially if there is a hereditary predisposition or similar formations have already occurred in close relatives.

Doctors of «Oxford Medical» warn: the appearance of skin neoplasms should not be explained only by age or sun exposure and a visit to a doctor should not be ignored. If a spot or plaque rapidly increases, darkens, bleeds, or sharply differs from other formations on the skin, it is better to consult a dermatologist and undergo an examination.

Seborrheic keratosis may differ by color, shape, thickness, surface, and localization. During the examination, the dermatologist assesses the clinical signs of the formation, and for more accurate diagnostics may perform dermatoscopy.

Main clinical variants:

• ordinary seborrheic keratosis — most often looks like a clearly outlined spot, plaque, or nodule with a rough, waxy, or wart-like surface;
• flat seborrheic keratosis — has the appearance of a light brown or darker spot that may be almost at the level of the skin;
• pigmented seborrheic keratosis — differs by darker coloration: it may be brown, dark brown, or almost black, therefore it requires careful diagnostics;
• irritated, or inflamed seborrheic keratosis — may become red, itch, peel, hurt, or bleed after friction or trauma;
• stucco keratosis — small light, grayish, or yellowish papules that more often appear on the shins, feet, and forearms;
• dermatosis papulosa nigra — small dark papules that most often occur on the face and neck, predominantly in people with a darker skin phototype.

The location of the formation is taken into account separately. Seborrheic keratoma may appear on the face, neck, trunk, limbs, in skin folds, and on the hairy part of the head.

Seborrheic keratoma usually looks like a spot, plaque, or a small elevation above the surface of the skin. The color may be different: from flesh-colored and light brown to dark brown or almost black. The surface is often rough, waxy, peels, or has the appearance of a formation as if «stuck» to the skin.

Most often, seborrheic keratomas appear on the face, neck, chest, back, limbs, in areas of friction, as well as on the hairy part of the head. Seborrheic keratosis on the head is often noticed during combing, cutting, or washing the hair, when the formation is accidentally caught with a comb or nails.

In most cases, keratomas do not hurt, but may change under the influence of external factors. Traumatized seborrheic keratosis may bleed, become covered with a crust, hurt, or become inflamed. If the formation constantly rubs against clothing, jewelry, or other areas of the skin, irritated seborrheic keratosis may develop — with redness, itching, peeling, or a feeling of discomfort.

Doctors of «Oxford Medical» note: if the formation rapidly increases, changes color or shape, begins to bleed, hurt, or sharply differs from other spots and keratomas on the skin, it is worth consulting a dermatologist. Such changes do not always mean danger, but require an examination to exclude other conditions and choose the correct tactics.

Before removal, the dermatologist examines the formation and, if necessary, performs dermatoscopy. If after the examination there are doubts about the nature of the formation, the doctor may recommend removal with subsequent histological examination.

Doctors of «Oxford Medical» warn that it is not allowed to tear off, cauterize, or try to remove a keratoma independently by another method. Such actions may cause bleeding, inflammation, infection, or scarring, and also complicate further diagnostics.

It is worth noting: if seborrheic keratosis is confirmed, treatment with medications is not performed. Ointments, creams, or tablets cannot remove an already formed keratoma. If the formation does not bother and has a typical benign appearance, it can be observed. If the keratoma is traumatized, irritated, bleeds, interferes, or creates aesthetic discomfort, the main method is removal.

Removal of seborrheic keratosis is performed after an examination by a dermatologist. First, the doctor performs an examination and diagnostics, and then selects a method that allows the keratoma to be removed as accurately and safely as possible.

Main methods of removal:

• Laser removal. The laser acts precisely, destroys the tissues of the keratoma, and simultaneously coagulates small vessels. The method is often used for superficial formations on open areas of the skin, when a neat aesthetic result is important.
• Radio wave removal. During the procedure, tissues are dissected with high-frequency radio waves with minimal trauma to the surrounding skin. The method is suitable for precise removal of keratomas, in particular on areas where it is important to preserve an even contour of the skin.
• Electrocoagulation. The formation is removed using electric current, which destroys tissues and simultaneously «seals» vessels. The method may be used for small keratomas that do not have signs of suspicious changes.
• Cryotherapy. The method involves exposure to low temperature, most often liquid nitrogen. After freezing, the tissues of the formation are gradually rejected. Such cryotherapy may be used for separate superficial keratomas if the doctor considers this method appropriate.
• Surgical excision. It is used when the formation has an atypical appearance, large size, or requires further histological examination. In this case, the keratoma is removed completely, and the material may be sent to a laboratory to clarify the diagnosis.

The method of removal is selected individually. The size and thickness of the keratoma, its location, color, the presence of irritation, bleeding, or other changes are important.

It is impossible to completely prevent the appearance of seborrheic keratosis, since its development is influenced by age, hereditary predisposition, and individual skin features. However, proper care helps reduce the risk of irritation of keratomas, avoid their trauma, and notice changes in time.

Main recommendations:

• it is recommended to protect the skin from excessive sun exposure and use sunscreen products on open areas;
• it is recommended not to tear off, scratch, or cauterize keratomas independently;
• it is desirable to avoid constant friction in the area of formations — by clothing, jewelry, belts, a comb, or a razor;
• it is worth regularly examining the skin and paying attention to new or changed formations;
• it is necessary to consult a dermatologist if the keratoma grows quickly, darkens, bleeds, hurts, or sharply differs from others.

Our doctors recommend not waiting until the formation begins to interfere or become traumatized. If the keratoma is located in an area of frequent friction or causes doubts, it is better to undergo an examination by a dermatologist and determine whether observation, dermatoscopy, or removal is needed.

The price of removal of seborrheic keratosis depends on the size of the formations, their number, localization, and the selected method. You can preliminarily familiarize yourself with the prices for doctors’ consultations and other medical services here.

At the «Oxford Medical» clinic, you can choose a convenient location for a visit. If you need a dermatologist in Irpin or in Kyiv, you can undergo a consultation and removal of the neoplasm in a department convenient for you. To make an appointment at a time convenient for you, contact the contact center or use the online appointment form on the website.

The information is for informational purposes and does not replace a doctor’s consultation.

Sources:

NCBI Bookshelf

DermNet

British Association of Dermatologists