A person with actinic keratosis has an elevated risk of developing squamous cell carcinomas.

As we continue to enjoy hot summer days often spent under the sun and outdoors, there’s no better time than now to discuss skin health, and the damage that skin endures when exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays.

“We are all aware by now of the importance of wearing a good SPF every day to protect the skin from harmful environmental effects, but not enough discussion takes place around actinic keratosis and the dangers it poses for many people,” said Dr Bradley Wagemaker.

Actinic keratosis, also referred to as solar keratosis, is a common skin condition among people who live in hot, sunny regions like SA. Actinic keratosis is caused by sun exposure as well as UV radiation that occurs in tanning beds.

It presents as dry, scaly patches of skin on areas of the body typically exposed to the sun and can appear as bumps on the arms and hands. They can feel itchy and even sore, ranging up to several centimetres in size. Actinic keratosis can be unsightly and cause embarrassment and discomfort for a person who develops them.

Actinic keratosis tends to affect people over the age of 40, men more than women, as well as people with lighter skin complexions. Those with conditions that cause the skin to become more sensitive to the sun’s UV rays (albinism for instance) are also at a higher risk of developing actinic keratosis.

“The presence of these lesions raises a person’s lifetime risk of being diagnosed with skin cancer, and having one typically means that there are probably more lesions that have developed on the body. As such, a person with actinic keratosis would have an elevated risk of developing squamous cell carcinomas,” Dr Wagemaker explained.

A common type of skin cancer, left untreated, squamous cell carcinomas can become invasive, spreading through the body, and becoming life threatening. It’s for this reason that those who have developed actinic keratosis are encouraged to seek treatment without delay to be on the safe side.

KEEPING ACTINIC KERATOSIS AT BAY

Preventative measures include avoiding exposure to midday sun, sun tanning, and tanning beds, applying sun screen every day (even cloudy days), and wearing sun-safe clothing. Taking a health supplement to promote, enhance, and maintain skin health can also help reduce the risk of developing pre-cancerous skin lesions.