Solar Treatment-Keratosis

Actinic keratosis, also known as solar keratosis or sun spots are a disease in which lesions develop on the skin. They are usually crusty or scaly, and cancer. They vary in size equal to 1 cm lower than a pinhead, and the color can vary from pink to dark brown. The lesions may be tender to touch or itch, but often asymptomatic. Fortunately, there are treatments available for this condition.

Topical treatments

There are several topical treatments that have proven effective against actinic keratosis, such as 5-fluorouracil cream applied to lesions and function by destroying cells that are precancerous. Aldara is a topical treatment that works by activating the immune system to destroy cancerous cells. These treatments can be painful because they leave the skin raw in areas where pre-cancerous cells are destroyed.

Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery is a very common treatment for solar keratosis. It involves using liquid nitrogen to the lesion and waiting for the frost off. Liquid nitrogen can be used as a spray or applicator. The procedure produces little or no pain, and while most treatments are most effective in reducing recidivism, they can cause hypopigmentation (lack of color).

Laser therapy

There are two procedures that use layers to treat actinic keratosis. In the single laser therapy, a laser is used to cut injury and the entire affected skin underneath. This procedure can be painful, local anesthetics are generally used. Photodynamic treatments involve the use of a photosensitizing agent to the lesion topically or by injection. The photosensitive cells are then exposed to a high-power laser light, which kill the precancerous cells.

Chemical Peel

Chemical peeling is an option. According to the Mayo Clinic, "This is to apply one or more chemical solutions --- trichloroacetic acid (TCA), for example --- the damage." The result is that the skin from exposure to chemicals in the helmet, and bare as a result enables the development of new healthy skin cells instead of the injury.

Cutterage

Cutterage is a procedure that is used for scrapers (instrument shaped like a paddle), which is used to remove the affected tissue, as far as possible, and after electro surgery to cut out the rest of the damaged tissue, the doctor left behind. This also helps to burn an open wound left by the scraper.