Actinic Keratosis Symptoms, Causes & More
Article Sources
- 1. 'Actinic Keratosis.' The Skin Cancer Foundation, 30 Apr. 2021, www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/actinic-keratosis
- 2. 'Skin Cancer Types: Squamous Cell Carcinoma Overview.' American Academy of Dermatology, www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/types/common/scc
- 3. 'Actinic Keratosis.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 13 Jan. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/actinic-keratosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354969
- 4. 'Actinic Keratosis: Signs and Symptoms.' American Academy of Dermatology, www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/actinic-keratosis-symptoms
- 5. 'Actinic Keratosis: Diagnosis and Treatment.' American Academy of Dermatology, [www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/actinic-keratosis-treatment.](http://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/actinic-keratosis-treatment.)
- 6. 'Actinic Keratosis.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 13 Jan. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/actinic-keratosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354975
Photodynamic Therapy
If several actinic keratosis patches are present or they repeatedly recur, a doctor may use photodynamic therapy. A light-sensitive chemical solution is applied to the affected areas of the skin. Sixty to 90 minutes later, the skin is exposed to a special blue or red light that activates the solution and eradicates the actinic keratosis, allowing healthy skin to grow.
People may need two treatments, with the second treatment occurring three weeks after the initial one.5‘Actinic Keratosis: Diagnosis and Treatment.’ American Academy of Dermatology, www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/actinic-keratosis-treatment.,6‘Actinic Keratosis.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 13 Jan. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/actinic-keratosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354975
Advertisement
