Seborrheic keratoses are a type of mole that occurs in adults and the elderly. They can be flat, but more often slightly raised like a flat wart. The surface can be bumpy, smooth, glossy or slightly dry. The size is from millimeters to several centimeters, but typically they are about the size of a coin. They can itch. They appear on the face, scalp and body, but can appear all over the skin except the soles of the feet and palms of the hands. A typical place for women is under the breasts. An elderly person can end up having over a hundred of these. They can be confused with skin cancer, especially melanoma (mole cancer).
This is a sign of aging in the skin. There is a hereditary component. A lot of sunbathing is perhaps a risk factor. It is possible that rubbing the skin over several years is the reason why they often appear in skin folds in obese people.
Treatment is not necessary. Since these can be mistaken for skin cancer, you should consider having them examined by a doctor. Treatment can be scraping under local anesthetic or freezing. They can also be cut away, and laser treatment can give nice results. Regardless of the treatment method, they can return to the same place after a while. There is no effective cream treatment against seborrheic keratoses. There is no known way to prevent seborrheic keratoses. It is not contagious.
Our dermatologists help people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, with everything from simple skin changes to serious conditions.
Our dermatologists help people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, with everything from simple skin changes to serious conditions.
