Seborrheic Keratosis - Health Tips

Get practical tips regarding Seborrheic Keratosis to help you prepare for your appointments and manage your care from home.

Thoughts on Seborrheic Keratosis by Dr. Steven Kern, MD
December 2019
Seborrheic Keratoses (singular:  Seborrheic Keratosis) are harmless, common skin growths. They occur during adult life, gradually increasing in number. Some persons have a very large number of them. They are not caused by sun exposure. They should not be confused with Actinic Keratoses (also called Solar Keratoses). Actinic Keratoses are often pre-cancerous.

Seborrheic Keratoses are harmless. They begin as slightly raised, light brown spots. Gradually, they thicken and take on a rough, wart-like surface.   They slowly darken and may turn black. They typically look as if they were stuck on top of the skin.

Treatment

Removal of Seborrheic Keratosis is entirely optional if the doctor is certain of the diagnosis. Some insurance companies may consider the treatment to be “cosmetic” and therefore it may not covered. However, sometimes they itch, rub against clothes, or are cosmetically unpleasant. In these circumstances, they are often removed. This is very easy to do and does not leave a scar. However, the skin underneath may be lighter in color than the surrounding normal skin in some cases. The color difference may resolve with time. In almost all cases, the appearance after removal is better than before removal.