Early Treatment of Actinic Keratosis

A premalignant condition such as actinic keratosis can lead to something worse like a squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cells are affected by this type of skin cancer, and our skin is made up of squamous cells. You must have actinic keratosis removed to lower your risks of having skin cancer.

Keratinocytes affected by UV radiation can mutate and deteriorate. The bumpy and scaly attribute is contributed by the thickening of the epidermis on the affected part. As the name suggest, it has something to do with keratin, the component of our hair and nails. This also contributes to actinic keratosis’ wart like appearance.

You better be careful about that actinic keratosis if you don’t want it to turn to something worse. The susceptibility of squamous cells is due to its flatness and thinness. So, one may decide to have these actinic keratoses removed to avoid further danger of cancer.

You can select from many types of treatments.  Also know if you can meet the expense of the treatments, and also how worse your actinic keratosis is.

Actinic Keratosis Removal Treatments

•    The most efficient way to have actinic keratosis removed is through laser surgery. Specifically, CO2 and Er-YAG lasers are applied for actinic keratosis.
•    Electrocautery employs electricity in burning of the actinic keratosis.
•    The same as electrocautery, but this time, low temperature is used to freeze off cells affected by actinic keratosis. The most popular solution used for this procedure is liquid nitrogen.
•    Although commonly used for chemotherapy, 5-fluorouracil also helps to remove actinic keratosis. The reproduction of anomalous cells is blocked by this cream.  There is nothing to worry about its effect to healthy cells since abnormal cells are the real target of this cream. You have to go through a very harsh treatment with the use of this cream but the outcome is superb.
•    Another cream for treating actinic keratosis is called imiquimod. Treating yourself with this can cause discomforts, but if you are really determined to get rid of your actinic keratosis, then you should endure the discomforts it can cause.

The abovementioned treatments are just some of the accessible treatments for actinic keratosis. Your over all health should be considered before going through these procedures. You can be sure that your skin cancer risk is lessened if you have that actinic keratosis removed.