Treatment

Treatment of a seborrheic keratosis isn't usually needed. Be careful not to rub, scratch or pick at it. This can lead to itching, pain and bleeding.

You can have a seborrheic keratosis removed if it becomes irritated or bleeds, or if you don't like how it looks or feels.

Several options are available for removing a seborrheic keratosis:

• Freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery). Cryosurgery can be an effective way to remove a seborrheic keratosis. It doesn't always work on raised, thicker growths, and it may result in discoloration of treated skin.
• Scraping the skin's surface (curettage). First your doctor will numb the area and then use a scalpel blade to remove the growth. Sometimes scraping is used along with cryosurgery to treat thinner or flat growths. It may also be used with electrocautery.
• Burning with an electric current (electrocautery). First your doctor will numb the area and then destroy the growth with electrocautery. This method can be used alone or with scraping, especially when removing thicker lesions. This procedure can leave scars if it's not done properly, and it may take slightly longer than other removal methods.
• Vaporizing the growth with a laser (ablation). Different types of laser treatments are available.
• Applying a solution of hydrogen peroxide. If you have a raised growth, your doctor may prescribe a solution of 40% hydrogen peroxide (Eskata), which is applied to the skin. The drug has been proved to be effective in removing seborrheic keratoses, but it may irritate the skin. This solution must be handled with care, as it can cause eye damage.