Symptoms

Actinic keratoses vary in appearance. Signs and symptoms include:

• Rough, dry or scaly patch of skin, usually less than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter
• Flat to slightly raised patch or bump on the top layer of skin
• In some cases, a hard, wartlike surface
• Color variations, including pink, red or brown
• Itching, burning, bleeding or crusting
• New patches or bumps on sun-exposed areas of the head, neck, hands and forearms

When to see a doctor

It can be difficult to distinguish between noncancerous spots and cancerous ones. So it's best to have new skin changes evaluated by a doctor — especially if a scaly spot or patch persists, grows or bleeds.