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Treatment Options for Actinic Keratosis

Feb 10, 2015

Melanoma and carcinoma are two forms of skin cancer that often develop because of sun exposure. However, dermatologists warn that sun exposure can trigger the development of other skin conditions that may not immediately denote skin cancer. Actinic keratosis is one such condition that may also form after repeated sun exposure, and without treatment, can eventually evolve into a malignant disease. This skin problem often presents as scaly skin, so should you notice symptoms of it, see a dermatologist in Arlington Heights as soon as possible. Only with immediate treatment can you lessen your risk of skin cancer in the future.

Topical Strategies

If you are diagnosed with actinic keratosis, your dermatologist might recommend topical therapy. This type of treatment typically entails the use of a cream or gel that you must apply to the affected skin. Topical solutions can eradicate actinic keratosis in several ways. Some topical treatment strategies actually foster an immune system response. As a result, your body begins to attack these cells and generates healthy skin to replace them. Other topical solutions act as a form of chemotherapy for patients. If your dermatologist suggests topical chemotherapy, he will likely give you specific directions regarding when and how to apply your medication. With proper usage, though, this treatment option can destroy the cells that form actinic keratosis without harming healthy skin.

Surgical Services

Your dermatologist might also suggest the manual removal of actinic keratosis. Though this method might necessitate minimally invasive treatment, it can quickly and safely address multiple areas of actinic keratosis. One of the more popular methods for manually removing these growths is cryotherapy. This technique uses extreme cold to destroy actinic keratosis cells. The treatment area may appear red or irritated for several days, but as new healthy cells replace the damaged ones, the actinic keratosis disappears. Should you require treatment for actinic keratosis, talk to your dermatologist about the treatment option that best suits your diagnosis and comfort needs.

Do you suspect that you have actinic keratosis? Then call Arlington Dermatology at [company-phone id=1] to speak with an associate about your symptoms. We can schedule a consultation with a dermatologist at our Arlington Heights office.

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