Seborrheic Keratosis

Question: How to remove seborrheic keratosis? This may sound an odd question. I have read that seborrheic keratosis can be removed with cryosurgery (freezing the Keratosis) so therefore can it be removed using an over the counter treatment that freezes warts? I know that most of you will say that this type of procedeure should be done under medical supervision but are Seborrheic warts that different from common warts?

Answer: Yes any cryo will work.

Question: Seborrheic Keratosis - Is there a correlation between this and exposure to ionizing radiation in WWII? Is there a correlation between skin cancer and exposure to ionizing radiation in WWII? I am talking about exposure to the radiation in Nagasaki approximately 2 - 3 weeks after the bomb was dropped.

Answer: no, that radiation would likely promote skin cancers right away not this far out. this is likely sun damage on fair skin color, watch if it changes, then have it seen right away, good luck

Question: Can a person use sea salt and shea butter on seborrheic keratosis?

Answer: I see no reason why not. I don't know that it will help, but I'm fairly sure it won't hurt.

Question: Is there an herbal remedy that can get rid of seborrheic keratosis in the head?

Answer: I had to have mine surgically removed by a plastic surgeon. No real herbal remedy or medications to get rid of them.

Question: Can a person use sea salt on seborrheic keratosis?

Answer: Sure you can, but why would you want to? It's not going to get rid of it ... you'll need to see a dermatologist for that.

Question: is there anything to do help cure severe Seborrheic Keratosis they are all on my neck,face and chest? i have had liquid nitrogen removal they resurface

Answer: I used retin A. Took about six weeks.

Question: does someone help me with info ref to Seborrheic Keratosis ?

Answer: "Seborrheic keratosis is one of the most common types of noncancerous (benign) skin growths in older adults. In fact, most people develop at least one seborrheic keratosis at some point in their lives. A seborrheic keratosis usually appears as a brown, black or pale growth on the face, chest, shoulders and back. The growth has a waxy, scaly, slightly elevated appearance. Occasionally, it appears singly, but multiple growths are more common. Typically, seborrheic keratoses don't become cancerous, but they can look like skin cancer. These skin growths are normally painless and require no treatment. You may decide, however, to have them removed if they become irritated by clothing or for cosmetic reasons. A seborrheic keratosis usually has the appearance of a waxy or wart-like growth. It typically appears on the head, neck or trunk of the body. A seborrheic keratosis: * Ranges in color from light tan to black * Is round- to oval-shaped * Has a characteristic "pasted on" look * Is flat or slightly elevated with a scaly surface * Ranges in size from very small to more than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) across * May itch You may develop a single growth or cluster of growths. Though not painful, seborrheic keratoses may prove bothersome depending on their size and location. Be careful not to rub, scratch or pick them. This can lead to inflammation, bleeding and infection. Causes The exact cause of seborrheic keratoses is unclear. They tend to run in some families, so genetics may play a role. Ultraviolet (UV) light may also play a role in their development since they are common on sun-exposed areas, such as the back, arms, face and neck. See your doctor if: * Many growths develop over a short time. Normally, seborrheic keratoses appear one or two at a time over many years. * The growths get irritated or bleed when your clothing rubs against them. You may want the growths removed. * You notice suspicious changes in your skin, such as sores or growths that grow rapidly, bleed and don't heal. These could be signs of skin cancer. Screening and diagnosis Your doctor can diagnose seborrheic keratosis by inspecting the growth. To confirm the diagnosis or to rule out other skin conditions, your doctor may recommend removal for examination under a microscope. Typically, seborrheic keratosis doesn't become cancerous, but it can resemble skin cancer. If your doctor suspects skin cancer, he or she will take a small sample of your skin (biopsy) for analysis in a lab. A biopsy can usually be done in a doctor's office using local anesthesia. Treatment of seborrheic keratoses usually isn't necessary. However, you may want them removed if they become irritated, if they bleed because your clothing rubs against them, or if you simply don't like how they look or feel. This type of growth is never deeply rooted, so removal is usually simple and not likely to leave scars. Your doctor can remove seborrheic keratoses using several methods, including: * Freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery). Cryosurgery can be an effective way to remove seborrheic keratosis. However, it may not work on large, thick growths, and it may lighten the treated skin (hypopigmentation). * Scraping the skin's surface with a special instrument (curettage). Sometimes curettage is used along with cryosurgery to treat thinner or flat growths. It may be used with electrocautery. * Burning with an electric current (electrocautery). Used alone or with curettage, electrocautery can be effective in removing seborrheic keratosis. This procedure can leave scars if it's not done properly, and it may take longer than other removal methods. Keep in mind that most insurance companies and Medicare won't pay for the removal of seborrheic keratoses if done only for cosmetic reasons. Medical reasons for seborrheic keratosis treatment include intense itching, pain, inflammation, bleeding and infection." "Characteristics of Seborrheic Keratosis The wicked witch with a wart on her nose probably had a Seb K not a wart. So how can you tell if that bump on your face or chest is actually a Seb K? They do have some defining characteristics. * Stuck on - They are classically described as looking like someone took clay or a blob of dirt and "stuck" it on the skin. The edge of the seborrheic keratosis is not attached to the underlying skin making it appear that it could be removed by picking it off with your fingernail. This is because seborrheic keratoses arise from the epidermis, or top layer of skin. They don't extend deep into the skin like warts. What you see is what you get. * Warty surface - Seborrheic keratoses may look like warts but they don't contain human papilloma viruses that cause warts. As they develop some can have a very rough surface with deep pits and fissures almost like cauliflower being pulled apart. * Smooth surface with horn pearls - Some seborrheic keratoses don't have a rough surface. If they are smooth, they contain tiny bumps that look like seeds that are lighter or darker than the surrounding tissue. These are called horn pearls and they are actually bits of keratin that develop in a whirling, circular pattern. Sometimes these horn pearls are best seen with a magnifying glass. * Itching - For some reason seborrheic keratoses tend to itch especially the older we get. Some people will unintentionally manipulate or "pick at" a seborrheic keratosis and cause it to be further irritated. If irritated enough, the skin around it can become red and the seborrheic keratosis itself can bleed. This can be alarming to savvy skin-watchers who know that a doctor should see any lesion that bleeds. What can be done about Seborrheic Keratosis? The first and usually the best choice is to leave them alone. They may get larger, but they are not precancerous so leaving them there for the life of your skin is not a problem. Seborrheic keratoses are usually removed because they itch, they interfere with clothing or jewelry, or they are cosmetically unacceptable. That last option is a judgment call. The warty thing on an 80-year-old man's nose may not be as big of a deal as the one on a 40-year-old woman's nose. Removing Seborrheic Keratosis If you decide to have a seborrheic keratosis removed, there are several ways to do this. * Liquid Nitrogen - A small seborrheic keratosis can be frozen with liquid nitrogen. Liquid nitrogen works by freezing and destroying the cells but leaving the connective tissue foundation intact. The lesion frozen forms a blister as the water is released from the now-dead cells then crusts over as that water dries. When the crust falls off after several days, the skin underneath has begun to repair itself. Liquid nitrogen can leave a scar as the repaired skin may have more or less pigment producing cells. The scar is usually flat though unless you have a tendency to form keloids. * Shave - Another way seborrheic keratoses can be removed is to shave them off. Because their attachment to the underlying skin covers less area than the lesion itself, shaving can be a viable option. Seborrheic Keratoses are shaved off with a flexible razor blade going just deep enough to get only the seborrheic keratosis cells and leave normal skin. Shaving too much normal skin off can leave a divot in the skin as a scar. After the lesion is shaved, a chemical agent such as aluminum chloride or silver nitrate is applied to the wound to stop any small surface bleeding. Silver nitrate is a dark brown color and the resulting wound after the shave is dark brown. This color will usually go away after the skin repairs but some of that pigment can remain. For this reason, silver nitrate is usually not used on the face. Unusual-Looking Growths Sometimes seborrheic keratoses can be very difficult to distinguish from melanoma. Especially when they first appear, they can have several of the characteristics of atypical growths. They can have an irregular border and color variation throughout the lesion. You should not hesitate to see your doctor about any skin rashes or bumps that concern you."

Question: Why is the doctor concerned about my wife's seborrheic keratosis? During her most recent annual exam my wife mentioned a couple spots near her vaginal area -- a mole and something resembling an age spot or wart -- to the doctor. She had had both for a few years and past doctors did not seem concerned, but since the "age spot" appeared to be growing and the mole was rather dark, the doctor referred her to a dermatologist. The dermatologist was also concerned about the mole, so she punch biopsied it and did a scrape biopsy on the age spot. The mole was ruled to be a common nevis, thus no concern, and the age spot was identified as a seborrheic keratosis. Despite the seborrheic keratosis almost certainly being benign, the dermatologist remains concerned about it and wants to remove the rest of it, stating that its location may make it HPV-related. Obviously there's no harm in removing it, but we are just trying to understand what the cause for concern is, or if she is just being abundantly cautious. Even if it is HPV, what more can be done after it is removed? Also, wouldn't the tests on the original specimen have identified the HPV virus? Any insight is appreciated.

Answer: It sounds like the doctor is being either overly cautious or just wants to continue in the lifestyle to which she has become accustomed and needs to have some additional cash flow to do that. Only 4% of all HPV viruses can cause cancer and those are very rare. In fact, the body's immune system usually deals with those viruses very well and it takes about 2 years for the body to clear them with no medical intervention at all. As always, any medical decision is your decision and the more educated you become on the subject, the better off you are to make a good one. good luck to you

Question: is there a layman's term for seborrheic keratosis?

Answer: barnacles

Question: want to get a mole/wart removed..? i went to see a doctor to check a mole because i thought it was cancerous and he said its totally fine and a wart mole which is called seborrheic keratosis. i want it removed however, i told him i wanted it removed but he said that it would be burnt off and there was a chance it would grow back and if it grew back it would grow back much larger and wouldnt be able to be removed again?..... i really want it removed tho cos its near a personal place! but if it grows back? :S

Answer: i thin you should risk and remove it!!!

Question: Should it be biopsied? I had a mole on my neck that started getting bigger about a year ago. Like a dork, I didn't think to get it checked right away. Recently a family member said I should really get it looked at, in case it was melanoma. I went to a dermatologist for a biopsy. Trying to save me money (he doesn't take my insurance) he said he would just freeze it off because he's 99% sure it's a seborrheic keratosis. He freezes it, says it should fall off in two weeks. That night I looked up keratosis and read that it's often hard to distinguish between a seborrheic keratosis and melanoma. Should I go back and have it biopsied? What would you do? Can a mole be biopsied after it's been hit with nitro? I went to the dermatologist and he cut it off and will biopsy it for me. Results should come in Wednesday.

Answer: Athee darling sweetie PLEASE get it checked... it's not worth your fret and our worry for you dearie ((((((ATHEEE)))))))

Question: Does this sound life Genital warts or no? My husband has had this one spot right in his pubic hair region of his groin for atleast 5 years and we thought it was a genital wart. Well I got freak out enough that he finally got it checked out by his doctor and the doctor told us that it is a Seborrheic keratosis or something along those lines and that he had nothing to worry about... Does this sound right or should I still be concerned?? I am freaking out as we have children and I want to make sure he isn't spreading this around the house?

Answer: If the doctor says it's not a genital wart then it's not. And how in the world would he be spreading it around the house and endangering your kids unless he's having sex with them? Relax, please. Genital warts has got to be the least obnoxious STD there is. 1 in 3 women get it at some time in their lives, most men carry it, it's easily treatable, clears up all by itself (usually) after a couple of years and even when it doesn't, regular exams will help ensure that it doesn't turn into cancer.

Question: Do I have Skin cancer / melanoma? http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/LizzyJewel93/mole.jpg ^^ thats my mole. I have a mole on my back that is causing me trouble. And I think I may have melanoma. I have apt. this friday with the doctor. But was looking to get some insight now. Below is what the sympotoms are suppose to be. I have a yes or no beside it as to whether or not I have that symptom. Do you think I have it? Yes- * A is for asymmetry. One half of the mole or skin growth doesn't match the other half. Yes- * B is for border irregularity. The edges are ragged, notched, or blurred. Yes. Brown and tan- * C is for color. The pigmentation is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown, and black are present. Dashes of red, white, and blue add to the mottled appearance. Changes in color distribution, especially the spread of color from the edge of a mole into the surrounding skin, also are an early sign of melanoma. Yes- * D is for diameter. The mole or skin growth is larger than 6 mm (0.2 in.) or about the size of a pencil eraser. Any growth of a mole should be of concern. Signs of melanoma in an existing mole include changes in: Yes. Thickening. -* Elevation, such as thickening or raising of a previously flat mole. No- * Surface, such as scaling, erosion, oozing, bleeding, or crusting. Yes. My mole is on my back and all around it is red and itchy. almost like a rash - * Surrounding skin, such as redness, swelling, or small new patches of color around a larger lesion (satellite pigmentations). * Sensation, such as itching, tingling, or burning. * Consistency, such as softening or small pieces that break off easily (friability). Melanoma can develop in an existing mole or other mark on the skin, but it often develops in unmarked skin. Although melanoma can grow anywhere on the body, it frequently occurs on the upper back of men and women and on the legs in women. Less commonly, it can develop on the soles, palms, nail beds, or mucous membranes that line body cavities such as the mouth, the rectum, and the vagina.5 Many other skin conditions (such as seborrheic keratosis, warts, and basal cell cancer) have features similar to those of melanoma. Later symptoms Later signs of melanoma include: No. - * A break in the skin or bleeding from a mole or other colored skin lesion. Yes. - * Pain in a mole or lesion. Symptoms of metastatic melanoma may be vague and include: No. - * Swollen lymph nodes, especially in the armpit or groin. No. - * A colorless lump or thickening under the skin. Yes. - * Unexplained weight loss. No. - * Gray skin (melanosis). No. * Ongoing (chronic) cough. Yes. -* Headaches. No. -* Seizures.

Answer: From what I've seen, melanomas usually are very dark colored, almost black, like burned skin. Looking at your mole, it does appear slightly asymmetrical and does seem to have a different color in the center than around the border. It doesn't look like melanoma, but it does look "suspicious" to me, meaning, it should be removed just to be sure it doesn't cause problems later. However, a dermatologist may decide differently. Make sure you have it examined.

Question: Has anyone ever heard of this skin condition? About ten years ago I got this rash outbreak on my arms, legs, and back. It didn't go on my neck, face, hands, chest or feet. They look like red, flakey bumps. They will eventually go away on their own but leave little scars on me where they have disappeared so my skin looks blotchy. If i pick them they sometimes leave scabs or just go completely away. When I go tanning it makes them completely go away and they will eventually come off (flake off ) and leave little scars. They are itchy mostly in the winter, especially on my legs and are more visable and itchy when I went into hot water. I've tried prednisone which the outbreak settled down but never fully went away. I've tried all kinds of steroid creams and it never made them go away. I tried changing laundry detergent to unscented, I tried using dove unscented soap and nothing seems to work. I went to multiple dermatologist visits and have gotten two biopsies, the one thing they told me I can't remember but know it wasn't it because it says it goes away after about 6 months and that wasn't the case. I just had another one recently and it said it was Seborrheic Keratosis which I don't believe it is just from looking up information about it. Also when I go in the sun at all for the first couple of days before getting tanned it makes them a lot more red before making them go away. Does anyone have any idea what this could be? I've been trying to find out for a long time and all these visits to the doctors with the wrong answers are aggervating. If anyone could think of what it could be please let me know, I've been googling and searching forever and can't seem to figure it out. Any help would be great! Thank You! I remember what they first said it was,Pityriasis Rosea, and the it doesn't sound like that at all to me...I don't believe it is prickly heat I have seen that before this has been here for about 10 years or more and has never completely gone away...the lesions are prob not even 1 inch in diameter but some and very few will get about that size and last a little longer than usual. are you able to add pix on here?

Answer: Hard to say without seeing the lesions, or the biopsies, but two things come to mind, since you say that they are leaving small scars after they resolve: pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta, or possibly transient acantholytic dermatosis. A few clear, sharp pix might help, though.

Question: Seborrheic Keratosis? Do you or someone you know have sebborheic keratosis? I do and it makes me sometimes self conscious. Tell me what you know about it and if there is anything that can lessen its appearance. Answers very welcome from medical field personnel also. Thanks in advance. Thanks Stephanie. Mine really aren't that noticable if you don't know it's there, but my legs appear to have freckles or sunspots on them, along with a few raised places. I just don't like them and wish there was a cure.

Answer: if they are rough use apricot scrub and if they are dark in color try tanning. for more info plz follow link. good luck!! oooooooo ya and if ppl don't like what they see they don't have to look!! remember that.

Question: need quick biology help!? I need help with these 10 questions: 1. Baldness is: a. hyperhidrosis b. hypertrichosis c. albinism d. alopecia 2. Inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands characterized by papules, pustules, and inflamed nodules, and plugs of sebum that block pores is: a. seborrheic keratosis b. acne c. impetigo d. seborrheic keratosis 3. A benign cavity lined with keratinizing epithelium and filled with sebum and epithelial debris is a: a. carbuncle b. keratinous cyst c. furuncle d. seborrheic dermatitis 4. Radiographic imaging procedure of the spinal canal after injection of a contrast medium is: a. EMG b. myelography c. DEXA d. arthrography 5. What is the lab test that looks for a substance present in the blood of those who have rheumatoid arthritis? a. Ca b. RA c. RF d. THR 6. The bus driver and the administrative assistant were both diagnosed with a compression injury that manifests itself as fluctuating pain, numbness, and paresthesia of the hand caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist. They both have: a. osteoarthritis b. rheumatoid arthritis c. carpal tunnel syndrome d. sciatica 7. Drugs that are applied directly on the skin are: a. intradermal b. subcutaneous c. transdermal d. topical 8. Route of administration in which drugs are injected within the skin is called: a. intradermal b. subcutaneous c. transdermal d. topical 9. A fever blister is caused by: a. HPV b. HSV c. TB d. STSG 10. A stretch mark is a(n): a. stratum b. stria c. excoriation d. erosion Thanks for the help. I did all of the other ones myself, except these. well it's from a biology book:)

Answer: No way this is bio, this looks more like Health to me. The only one I think I know is 6, A possibly?

Question: need quick biology help!? I need help with these 10 questions: 1. Baldness is: a. hyperhidrosis b. hypertrichosis c. albinism d. alopecia 2. Inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands characterized by papules, pustules, and inflamed nodules, and plugs of sebum that block pores is: a. seborrheic keratosis b. acne c. impetigo d. seborrheic keratosis 3. A benign cavity lined with keratinizing epithelium and filled with sebum and epithelial debris is a: a. carbuncle b. keratinous cyst c. furuncle d. seborrheic dermatitis 4. Radiographic imaging procedure of the spinal canal after injection of a contrast medium is: a. EMG b. myelography c. DEXA d. arthrography 5. What is the lab test that looks for a substance present in the blood of those who have rheumatoid arthritis? a. Ca b. RA c. RF d. THR 6. The bus driver and the administrative assistant were both diagnosed with a compression injury that manifests itself as fluctuating pain, numbness, and paresthesia of the hand caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist. They both have: a. osteoarthritis b. rheumatoid arthritis c. carpal tunnel syndrome d. sciatica 7. Drugs that are applied directly on the skin are: a. intradermal b. subcutaneous c. transdermal d. topical 8. Route of administration in which drugs are injected within the skin is called: a. intradermal b. subcutaneous c. transdermal d. topical 9. A fever blister is caused by: a. HPV b. HSV c. TB d. STSG 10. A stretch mark is a(n): a. stratum b. stria c. excoriation d. erosion Thanks for the help. I did all of the other ones myself, except these.

Answer: 4b 9b Herpes simplex virus 6c 7d 5c rheumatoid factor 3b 1d 10b 8a 2b wow that was some hard stuff. I'm lucky i don't take that course