Actinic keratosis

Overview

Actinic keratosis is most common on the face, lips, ears, back of hands, forearms, scalp, and neck. It usually appears on older adults. Reducing sun exposure reduces the risk of getting it.

Symptoms

The skin patch enlarges slowly and usually causes no signs or symptoms. A lesion may take years to develop.

Treatments

Because it can become cancerous, it's usually removed as a precaution.