Keratosis, Actinic

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a pre-cancerous skin lesion caused by the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. AKs appear as rough scaly patches, usually on sun-exposed parts of the body such as the face, scalp, forearms, and hands. AKs are usually not dangerous but may lead to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a type of skin cancer, if left untreated. Therefore, they must be closely monitored by a doctor to detect any changes in appearance. Treatment options include freezing, topical medications, and laser ablation. Early diagnosis and treatment of AKs is important to prevent the development of SCC.