Seborrheic Keratosis – Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis
Doctors usually spot seborrheic keratoses by just looking at your skin. These growths often show up as “stuck-on” brown, tan, or black plaques.
A dermatologist can typically diagnose them by appearance alone, so no testing is needed in most cases.
However, if something about a lesion looks unusual—like crusting, bleeding, or rapid changes—your doctor may recommend a biopsy to rule out skin cancer or other conditions.
Other Details
- Seborrheic keratoses can itch or get irritated sometimes.
- They’re benign, so they don’t turn into cancer.
- Sometimes, they look a lot like actinic keratoses or other pigmented skin spots, especially if there’s crusting or bleeding.
- If your doctor isn’t sure what it is, they’ll remove the lesion and check it under a microscope to get a definite diagnosis.
Treatment
Most of the time, you don’t really need to treat seborrheic keratoses unless they bother you, itch, or start to bleed. A lot of people just want them gone for cosmetic reasons.
Common Treatment Methods:
| Method | How It Works | Possible Side Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Cryotherapy | Freezes the lesion with liquid nitrogen | Loss of pigment, scarring |
| Curettage/Shaving | Scrapes off growth after numbing | Minor bleeding, temporary marks |
| Electrocautery | Burns growth with electrical current | Scarring, color changes in the skin |
Cryosurgery uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the lesion. It works for some flat or thin spots, but honestly, it’s not as effective for thicker, raised ones. There’s also a risk of permanent light or dark spots, especially for people with darker skin.
Curettage means your doctor scrapes the lesion off with a scalpel. Sometimes they’ll combine this with freezing, especially for flat or thinner growths.
Electrodesiccation destroys the growth using a controlled electric current, often right after scraping. It’s handy for larger, thicker keratoses.
Keratolytic treatments like salicylic acid aren’t really standard here, and they don’t work well. Doctors will talk through the pros and cons of each option with you. Some treatments might leave a scar or change your skin color.
Even after removal, new growths can still pop up somewhere else.
Getting Ready for Your Visit
If you come prepared, your appointment will probably go smoother. Before you head in, jot down the details about your symptoms.
It helps to make a list of:
- When you first noticed the skin change
- Any other spots or growths you’ve seen
- Changes, like if it’s gotten bigger or changed color
- Whether anyone in your family has dealt with similar skin issues
Write down any questions you might have.
Some to consider:
| Question | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Do I need any tests to confirm this? | Understanding your diagnosis |
| What are my options for treatment? | Exploring possible treatments |
| Will any treatment leave a mark? | Learning about side effects |
| Will this go away by itself? | Knowing the natural course |
| How much will treatments cost? | Checking insurance coverage |
Bring your list with you, and don’t hesitate to add questions if something’s on your mind.
What Your Doctor Might Discuss
Your dermatologist or doctor will probably ask about the history of your skin growth. They might say things like:
- When did you first notice the change?
- Do you have more than one of these growths?
- Have you noticed any differences in how it looks?
- Does it bother you—physically or even emotionally?
- Has anyone in your family had similar skin conditions?
They’ll also want to take a close look at your skin. If you’re ready to answer these questions, your visit will probably go a lot more smoothly.
