BEC5 Curaderm: Actinic Keratoses - Treatment And Prevention

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 BEC5 Curaderm

Actinic Keratoses - Treatment And Prevention

 

Curaderm Topical Cream

 

Preparing for your appointment

You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or primary care doctor.

However, in some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred directly to a specialist in skin diseases (dermatologist).

 

What you can do

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your appointment.

List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out.

For Actinic Keratoses, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• Are tests needed to confirm the diagnosis?
• What is the best course of action?
• What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
• What are my treatment options and the pros and cons for each?
• What suspicious changes in my skin should I look for?
• What kind of follow-up should I expect?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask follow-up questions during your appointment.

 

What to expect from your doctor

Questions your doctor may ask you include:

• When did you first notice the lesions?
• Have you noticed multiple lesions?
• Is the condition bothersome?
• Have you experienced frequent or severe sunburns?
• How often are you exposed to sun or UV radiation?
• Do you regularly protect your skin from UV radiation?

 

Tests and diagnosis

Your doctor can usually diagnose actinic keratoses by inspecting the skin.

If there's any doubt, your doctor may do other tests, such as a skin biopsy.

During a skin biopsy, your doctor takes a small sample of your skin (biopsy) for analysis in a lab.

A biopsy can usually be done in a doctor's office using a local anesthetic.

 

Treatments and drugs

It's impossible to tell exactly which patches or lesions will develop into skin cancer.

Therefore, actinic keratoses are usually removed as a precaution.

Your doctor can discuss with you which treatment is appropriate for you.

With most of these procedures, the treated area takes a few days to several weeks to heal.

Actinic keratosis treatment options may include:

• Freezing (cryotherapy). An extremely cold substance, such as liquid nitrogen, is applied to skin lesions. The substance freezes the skin surface, causing blistering or peeling. As your skin heals, the lesions slough off, allowing new skin to appear. This is the most common treatment, takes only a few minutes and can be performed in your doctor's office. Side effects may include blisters, scarring, changes to skin texture, infection and darkening of the skin at the site of treatment.
• Scraping (curettage). In this procedure, your surgeon uses a device called a curet to scrape off damaged cells. Scraping may be followed by electrosurgery, in which a pencil-shaped instrument is used to cut and destroy the affected tissue with an electric current. This procedure requires a local anesthetic. Side effects may include infection, scarring and changes in skin coloration at the site of treatment.
• Creams or ointments. Some topical medications contain fluorouracil (Carac, Fluoroplex, Efudex), a chemotherapy drug. The medication destroys actinic keratosis cells by blocking essential cellular functions within them. Another treatment option is imiquimod (Aldara), a topical cream that modifies the skin's immune system to stimulate your body's own rejection of precancerous cells. Diclofenac gel (Voltaren, Solaraze), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory topical drug, may help, too. Side effects may include skin irritation such as pain, itching, stinging or burning sensation, crusting, and sensitivity to sun exposure at the site of treatment.
• Chemical peeling. This involves applying one or more chemical solutions — trichloroacetic acid (Tri-Chlor), for example — to the lesions. The chemicals cause your skin to blister and eventually peel, allowing new skin to form. Skin peeling usually lasts for five to seven days. Other side effects may include stinging or burning sensation, redness, crusting, changes in skin coloration, infections and, rarely, scarring. This procedure may not be covered by insurance, as it's often considered cosmetic.
• Photodynamic therapy. With this procedure, an agent that makes your damaged skin cells sensitive to light (photosensitizing agent) is either injected or applied topically. Your skin is then exposed to intense laser light to destroy the damaged skin cells. Side effects may include redness, swelling and a burning sensation during therapy.
• Laser therapy. A special laser is used to precisely remove the actinic keratoses and the affected skin underneath. Local anesthesia is often used to make the procedure more comfortable. Some pigment loss and scarring may result from laser therapy.
• Dermabrasion. In this procedure, the affected skin is removed using a rapidly moving brush. Local anesthetic is used to make the procedure more tolerable. The procedure leaves skin red and raw-looking. It takes several months for the skin to heal, but the new skin generally appears smoother.

Talk to your doctor about your treatment options.

The procedures have various advantages and disadvantages, including side effects, risk of scarring, and the number of treatment sessions required.

Afterward you'll likely have regular follow-up visits to check for new patches or lesions.

 

Prevention

Prevention of Actinic Keratoses is important because this condition can be precancerous or an early form of skin cancer.

Sun safety is necessary to help prevent development and recurrence of patches and lesions caused by an actinic keratosis.

Take these steps to protect your skin from the sun:

• Limit your time in the sun. Avoid staying in the sun so long that you get a sunburn or a suntan. Both result in skin damage that can increase your risk of developing actinic keratoses and skin cancer. Sun exposure accumulated over time may also cause an actinic keratosis. Set time limits when at the pool or beach or when you're spending time outdoors in the winter. Snow, water and ice all reflect and intensify the sun's harmful rays, and UV rays are most intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Clouds block only a small portion of UV radiation.
• Use sunscreen. Regular use of sunscreen reduces the development of actinic keratoses. Before spending time outdoors, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Use sunscreen on all exposed skin, including your lips. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapply it every two hours or more often if you swim or sweat.
• Cover up. For extra protection from the sun, wear tightly woven clothing that covers your arms and legs and a broad-brimmed hat, which provides more protection than does a baseball cap or golf visor. You might also consider wearing clothing or outdoor gear specially designed to provide sun protection.
• Avoid tanning beds and tan-accelerating agents. Tanning beds emit ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, which are often touted as less dangerous than are ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. But UVA light penetrates deeper into your skin, causes actinic keratoses and increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunless tanning lotions or bronzing lotions that produce a tanned look without sun exposure are a safe choice, if you continue to use sunscreen when outdoors.
• Check your skin regularly and report changes to your doctor. Examine your skin regularly, looking for the development of new skin growths or changes in existing moles, freckles, bumps and birthmarks. With the help of mirrors, check your face, neck, ears and scalp. Examine the tops and undersides of your arms and hands.

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