Seborrheic Keratoses

I. Definition:

Seborrheic keratoses are harmless, common skin growths that first appear during adult life.  As time goes by, more growths appear.  Seborrheic keratoses appear on both covered and uncovered parts of the body.  These growths are sometimes referred to as barnacles of aging.


II. Causes:

* The tendency to develop seborrheic keratoses is inherited.

* Seborrheic keratoses are usually harmless.  If a seborrheic bleeds, hurts or seems to be changing in any other way, you should see your physician promptly.

* Seborrheic keratoses begin as slightly raised, light brown spots.  Gradually they thicken and take on a rough, wartlike surface.  They slowly darken and may turn black.

* Seborrheic keratoses are superficial and look as if they were stuck on the skin.

III. Treatment:

* There is usually no need to treat a seborrheic keratosis.  If a seborrheic keratosis is bleeding, changing in any way, or is getting caught on your clothing, you need to see your physician promptly.

* Seborrheic keratoses can be frozen, cut, or burned off with an electric needle.  Your doctor will suggest the method that he thinks will best remove your lesion.  All of these treatment methods can leave a scar.  The growth may require more than one treatment and recurrences are common.

* If your seborrheic keratosis is unusual looking, your physician may suggest it be removed for examination by a pathologist.  This procedure will leave a scar and the growth can recur.