Contents
How Is Actinic Keratosis Treated?
Published: Aug 09, 2024
Actinic keratosis can be treated in various ways, depending on the number and severity of the lesions. Learn about the options to take control of your skin health.
Destructive Therapies
Destructive therapies physically remove the keratosis from the skin. Cryosurgery, for instance, uses extreme cold to freeze and destroy the lesion. It's quick, usually done in a doctor's office, and doesn't require anesthesia. However, it might cause some temporary discomfort and possible skin color changes.
Topical Treatments
Topical medications are creams or gels applied directly to the skin to treat actinic keratoses. Common options include fluorouracil and imiquimod. These treatments can effectively reduce or eliminate lesions over a period of weeks, but they may cause redness and irritation as they work to clear the skin.
Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves applying a photosensitizing agent to the skin, followed by exposure to a specific light source. This process activates the medication, destroying the abnormal cells. PDT is effective but can cause temporary redness and sensitivity to light post-treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cryosurgery is a treatment that uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal skin cells.
Yes, they can effectively reduce or eliminate actinic keratoses.
PDT is a treatment combining a special medication and light to destroy abnormal cells.
Some topical treatments can be applied at home under a doctor's guidance.
Wrapping Up
Various treatments can effectively manage actinic keratosis, so discussing options with a healthcare provider is crucial.
References
- Werner RN, Stockfleth E, Connolly SM, et al. Evidence- and consensus-based (S3) Guidelines for the Treatment of Actinic Keratosis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2015; 29:2069.
- Eisen DB, Asgari MM, Bennett DD, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of actinic keratosis. J Am Acad Dermatol 2021; 85:e209.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
AI Doctor Visit Required
Appointments available 24/7
Top licensed doctors
Available in all 50 states
Full service care
Prescriptions, referrals & treatment
No insurance needed
All notes available in Doctronic
15-min consultation. No hidden costs.
AI Doctor Visit Required
Please Chat With Our AI Doctor First
Our AI doctor assessment helps our human doctors prepare for your video visit and provide better care
For safety reasons we have been forced to end this consultation.
If you believe this is a medical emergency please call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.
If you are experiencing emotional distress, please call the the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or your local crisis services immediately.
Contact us
You can also email us at help@doctronic.ai
We aim to reply within 5-7 days
How likely are you to recommend Doctronic to friends or family?