ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Seborrheic keratosis

What is seborrheic keratosis?

4 May 2021

These are small benign tumors that develop on the skin and whose appearance is similar to a wart and that begin to appear at old age or even before, and continue to increase over the years.

These skin lesions, which usually appear on the neck, face, and chest, have a certain protuberance, a shiny or scaly appearance, and brown or black tones.

Despite not being contagious or being at risk to the health of those who suffer from them, many people prefer to remove them because they are unsightly.

The cause of seborrheic keratosis is unknown, but it is known that the most influential factors are genetic inheritance, so there are families where its incidence is higher; high exposure to sunlight; and having had certain viral infections.

Signs and symptoms Seborrheic keratosis

It is characterized by:

  • Small wart-like bumps.
  • Shades ranging from beige to black.
  • Oval o circular.
  • Raised.
  • Its appearance can be shiny or scaly.
  • Itch.
  • Discomfort.

Diagnosis and treatment Seborrheic keratosis

Once the dermatologist analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination to observe the lesions carefully and determine if it is seborrheic keratosis.

In case of suspecting some other condition or malignancy in the lumps, one of them will likely be removed to analyze it in the laboratory and rule out any serious condition.

Seborrheic keratosis does not normally require specialized care, although you should be careful not to scratch or rub too hard because it can cause bleeding, pain, and burning.

If they bother you or you don’t like their appearance, your dermatologist may remove them through various techniques such as:

  • Cryosurgery: The lumps are frozen with liquid nitrogen.
  • Curettage: The skin is scraped with a scalpel to remove the lump.
  • Electrocauterization: The lesion is removed by electric current.
  • Ablation: Vaporization of keratosis with laser.
  • Hydrogen peroxide: It is applied directly to the skin and effectively removes lumps, although it can be irritating to the skin and eyes, so it is important to use it with caution.

If you have rapidly growing lesions, larger than 2 cm or a large number of them at the same time, it may be an indication of cutaneous paraneoplastic syndrome, for which you should receive immediate treatment.

At ABC Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies of both chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments Seborrheic keratosis

Internal medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • cigna.com
  • topdoctors.es
  • medlineplus.gov
  • mayoclinic.org
  • msdmanuals.com
  • medigraphic.com
  • Uriarte-Ruíz K, Amador-Rojero ME, Vega-Memije ME, et al. Quiz / Queratosis seborreica adenoidea. Dermatología Cosmética, Médica y Quirúrgica. 2021;19(4):415-416.
  • Gómez-Londoño M, Echavarría-Restrepo LG, Gutiérrez-Sanmartín JM, et al. Queratosis seborreica en el fondo de saco de Douglas: reporte de un caso. Ginecol Obstet Mex. 2019;87(12):842-845.
  • Bolaños AMA, Carbajosa MMJ, Violante J, et al. Queratosis seborreica y siringomas periobitarios: un raro tumor de colisión. Reporte de dos casos. Dermatología Cosmética, Médica y Quirúrgica. 2017;15(4):240-242.
  • Monteagudo B, Cabanillas M, Suárez-Amor O, et al. Queratosis seborreicas eruptivas y transitorias desencadenadas por una dermatitis seborreica. Med Cutan Iber Lat Am. 2011;39(2):63-65.

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