Skin condition

Actinic keratoses

Actinic keratoses are cornification disorders. They are the result of genetically modified skin cells caused by sun exposure and are considered a precursor to skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma). They mainly occur on sun-exposed areas of the body, i.e. on the scalp, face (usually on the nose or forehead), décolleté, hands or arms.

Symptoms

Typical of actinic keratosis are areas of skin that are rough to the touch, often easily palpable and visually reddened.

Diagnosis

One of the first questions when making a diagnosis is to clarify whether there has been frequent unprotected exposure to the sun. The dermatologist also assesses the clinical appearance of the skin visually and by palpation of the skin. The suspected diagnosis can then be confirmed with the help of a histological analysis of a skin sample taken.

Therapy

Creams or ointments containing certain drugs such as fluorouracil are used as drug therapy. They stimulate an inflammatory reaction, which leads to the formation of new skin. This form of therapy can be carried out over a shorter or longer period of time with different intensity levels of dosage. Alternatively, actinic keratosis can be treated selectively with nitrogen in the practice.

Photodynamic therapy

We recommend photodynamic therapy for large areas of disease. This involves using a special laser (fractionated laser) to gently open up the skin structure so that a cream containing methyl aminolevunilate can be applied. The patient should then spend around two hours outdoors in order to activate the active ingredient with the help of sunlight. After the two hours, the patient is followed up in the practice.

As a result of this therapy, redness and crusts develop on the treated areas in the days following treatment, which can persist for several weeks. This is a desired effect, as new skin is formed in the affected areas. A medical check-up should take place three days after the treatment. The aim of this therapy is the formation of new skin on the areas of skin that were previously affected by actinic keratoses.