Seldom skin diseases are serious but they can pose great medical and social problems. A simple looking skin disease may not threaten life but can spoil it. Actinic keratosis is one such skin condition which needs attention as it is suspected to be a precancerous skin condition by many dermatologists. This skin condition develops after chronic exposure to sunlight. Fair individuals who have less melanin pigment are more prone to actinic keratosis.
The disease is characterized by rough scaly patches on skin surface, especially on the exposed area of the body such as face, ears, forearms, scalp and V of neck.
Aside from the small spots on skin, there is no other symptom noted in most cases. People over the age of 50 are generally affected. The risk of actinic keratosis can be reduced if you expose your body minimally to sunlight or ultraviolet rays.

Causes:

1. As mentioned earlier, actinic keratosis develops after chronic exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet rays.
2. Artificial ultraviolet rays given by lamps in tanning salon are said to be more dangerous to your skin as compared to ultraviolet rays emitted by sun for development of actinic keratosis.
3. It can also develop after chronic exposure to X-rays.
4. Certain industrial chemicals are also responsible for actinic keratosis.

Following factors increase the risk of actinic keratosis.

1. Person over the age of 50.
2. People who live in intense sunny area.
3. People who are fair and have blond hair, blue eyes and are constantly exposed to UV rays.
4. Have tendency to sunburn. White skinned or light skinned individuals are more prone to developing sunburn because of lack of melanin in their skin.
5. People wearing minimal garments (bikinis, for instance) and sunbathing on beaches for many years can have the whole body affected.
6. Person having low immune level or if he is taking chemotherapy.

Signs and symptoms:

1. In the beginning, rough spots may appear in areas frequently exposed to sun. It is often seen on face, ears, V of neck and on forehands. These are the least areas covered of the body. However, the spots may appear anywhere on the body if it is too often exposed to sunlight or UV rays or certain industrial chemicals. The spots may feel like sand paper. They feel rough.
2. The size of lesion is usually less than 1 inch.
3. The patch is slightly raised on the skin surface.
4. As time passes the patch becomes larger in size.
5. The color of patch is pink or brown. It may become red later on.
6. Sometimes actinic keratosis patch becomes hard just like a wart.
7. The skin surrounding the patch may become wrinkled and blotchy.
8. Seldom there may be burning and itching on the affected area.

Home treatment:

1. Though not always actinic keratosis patch turns into skin cancer, it is better to treat the condition as the risk of skin cancer becomes less. The treatment is mostly a precaution measure as the lesion may become cancerous.
2. Conventional ways of treating it is freezing, curettage, chemical peeling, laser therapy, dermabrasion etc.
3. Besides the conventional treatment, there are home remedies that can take care of actinic keratosis. Apple cider vinegar is one such home remedy found effective in healing the skin patch of actinic keratosis. Take half teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water. Also add a teaspoon of honey to it. Drink it daily for few weeks. You can also apply apple cider vinegar on the lesion. After few days, the patch fades. The skin over this area becomes smooth and supple.
4. Patient should avoid sunlight between 10 am to 4 pm as the ray of sun during this period is strongest.
5. Apply aloe vera gel.
6. Wear full length clothing which covers the whole body.
7. Use sunscreen when you go out in sun.