Actinic Keratosis

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Actinic Keratoses can be diagnosed and treated early to prevent progression to skin cancer

Skin Cancer Treatment in Singapore

Actinic Keratoses and Sun Damage

Actinic keratoses are small scaly red patches or rough thick skin growths which usually occur in people after age of 40 due to years of cumulative sun exposure.
 
These skin growths are pre-cancerous, although usually harmless or may cause skin irritation or itch, they may turn into squamous cell cancer, a form of skin cancer, if left untreated.

What causes Actinic Keratoses?

Actinic Keratoses are caused by sun damage from long periods of sun exposure. As they result from cumulative sun exposure over many years, they are more commonly found in older people.
 
These skin growths are found predominantly on skin that experiences the most sun exposure such as the face, ears, arms, hands and lower legs.
 
There are people who are more prone to develop sun damaged skin and actinic keratoses- fair skin, those who burn easily under the sun, people with chronic sun exposure (certain professions, or hobbies, sun-lovers)

Do I have Actinic Keratoses?

It can sometimes be hard to tell if you have actinic keratoses so it is worth checking with our dermatologist if you are worried. Patches of actinic keratoses are usually rough to touch and can be thick and raised from the skin.
 
These skin growths are often sore or itchy. If an area of the skin which resembles these characteristics starts to bleed, hurt or rapidly change in appearance or size, this may indicate that it is progressing toward skin cancer, and this must be checked.

How do I prevent Actinic Keratoses?

Actinic keratoses are usually little cause for concern. Small patches may disappear by themselves. However, it is important to adopt good sun-protection habits.
 
As actinic keratoses are caused by exposure to the sun, the key to prevention is avoiding the sun when its rays are most intense, especially around the middle of the day.
 
Before going outdoors follow the usual sun safety measures of applying sunscreen with a high SPF and protection from both UVA and UVB light and wearing clothes designed to provide sun protection.
 
It is also important to follow these steps if you already have signs of actinic keratoses in order to reduce the chances of them developing into skin cancer.
 
Our dermatologist offers skin cancer screening and mole check service to monitor activity of any sun damage, and to detect early signs of actinic keratoses and skin cancer.

How can Actinic Keratoses be treated?

Due to the risk of progression to skin cancer, it is generally advisable to treat actinic keratoses by removing it from the skin. This can be done through a range of techniques including creams, Photodynamic Therapy which uses a photosensitive cream and a light source, Cryotherapy which uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the lesion or Cutterage and Electrocautery which uses a small blade and electrical energy to remove the sun-damaged skin cells.

Book a Consultation & Protect Your Skin

Our team of experienced dermatologists and skin surgeons are here to help you identify, diagnose, and manage any suspicious skin changes with precision and care. Don’t ignore unusual spots or slow-healing lesions, book your appointment today for a thorough evaluation and peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Just like your wisdom teeth, buried supernumeraries might cause you issues in the future like teeth eruption problems, malalignment of
teeth or even cystic formation. It is thus best to get a consultation on whether they need to be removed.

Possible complications include bleeding, swelling, mild discomfort in your jaw, and infection. The bleeding usually stops after a couple of days and swelling will go away after a few days. Antibiotics and painkillers will be prescribed to address any pain or infection.

Every person heals differently but the average downtime can range from a few days to a week.

Preparations can vary from person to person, but in general, maintaining  good oral hygiene is key to good healing. Stop smoking for at least 2 weeks prior to the surgery. If sedation or general anesthesia is indicated, avoid eating or drinking for 6 hours before  your surgery.

Our Dermatologist

Dermatologist Dr Tay Liang Kiat

Dr Tay Liang Kiat

Dr Tay Liang Kiat is a fully accredited Dermatologist who specialises in skin cancers, Mohs micrographic surgery, dermatologic and nail surgery, aesthetic dermatology and laser procedures. With more than 25 years of clinical experience, he also manages other aspects of general ambulatory and inpatient dermatology, including eczema, psoriasis, acne, urticaria, hair loss, children skin issues and other complex medical dermatology. In addition, he has expertise in the use of the latest immunotherapy (biologics) treatment for severe eczema, psoriasis and urticaria.

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