Solar keratoses

Solar keratoses are pre-cancerous skin lesions on sun-exposed skin of the face and scalp. On the scalp they occur on balding individuals where chronic sun exposure occurs. Solar keratoses are not skin cancer, but if left untreated they can turn into skin cancer.

Treatment of Solar keratoses

Topical fluorouracil is indicated for treatment of precancerous skin conditions including multiple actinic (solar) keratoses, actinic cheilitis, mucosal leukoplakia, radiodermatitis, Bowen's disease, and erythroplasia of Queyrat.

Treatment of a solar keratosis requires removal of the defective skin cells. New skin then forms from deeper cells which have escaped sun damage. SKs are not normally sore, but may sometimes be very tender especially over bony areas.  It is sometimes difficult to differentiate a SK and an early invasive SCC.

Prevention of Solar keratoses

Solar keratoses may be prevented by protecting skin from ultraviolet radiation. If already present, keratoses may even improve with regular application of broad spectrum sunscreen to affected areas every day.