Request an Appointment

Toggle navigation
  • blog
Brownsboro Dermatology
4938 Brownsboro Road | Suite 206 | Louisville, KY 40222(502) 339-2922
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • Pay Online
  • Patient Forms
  • Contact Us
  • Patient Education
  • Virtual Consultation

Actinic Keratosis

Our team of physicians believe that informed patients are better equipped to make decisions regarding their health and well-being. For your personal use, we have created a limited patient library covering an array of educational topics, which can be found on the side of each page. Browse through these diagnoses and treatments to learn more about topics of interest to you.

  • Acne
  • Aesthetics
  • Moles
  • Pediatric Dermatology
  • Psoriasis
  • Rashes
  • Rosacea
  • Skin Cancers
  • Warts

Also known as solar keratosis, actinic keratosis affects more than 10 million Americans. These precancerous growths on the skin are caused by overexposure to the sun over a long period of time. They are characterized by rough dry lesions or patches that appear on sun-exposed areas of the skin, such as the face, back of hands, arms, scalp or shoulders. The lesions may be red, pink, gray or skin colored. Lesions often begin as flat, scaly areas and develop into a rough-textured surface. Sometimes it is easier to feel a growth than it is to see it.

Actinic keratosis is more common among fair-skinned people and those who have had years of outdoor or tanning bed exposure to ultraviolet light. Actinic keratosis can develop into malignant cells, typically squamous cell carcinoma, which is a type of skin cancer. That's why treatment isimportant. After a physical examination and biopsy of the lesion, your dermatologist will opt for one of the following treatments to remove the growth:

  • Cryosurgery, which freezes off the growth using liquid nitrogen.
  • Surgical removal in which the doctor scrapes off the lesion and bleeding is stopped by electrocautery.
  • Chemical peels that cause the top layer of skin to peel off.
  • Photodynamic therapy in which a dye is applied that sensitizes the skin to light and the area is then exposed to light via a laser or other light source.
  • Topical Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) that cause a slow inflammation and peeling; used in more superficial cases.
  • Topical Chemotherapeutic agents (5 Fluorouracil, Aldara) can also be used.

Learn More

  • Rashes
  • Acne
  • Moles
  • Pediatric Dermatology
  • Aesthetics

Patient Education

Patient Education
  • What is a Dermatologist?
  • Anatomy of the Skin
  • Skin Care Topics
    • Sun Safety
    • Skin Care Basics
    • Tanning Beds/Tanning Booths
    • Tattoos
    • Pregnancy-Related Skin Conditions
    • Diabetes-Related Skin Conditions
    • Skin Cancers
  • Skin Conditions
    • Acne
    • Rosacea
    • Head Lice
    • Rashes
    • Eczema (Dermatitis)
    • Lumps, Bumps, and Cysts
    • Psoriasis
    • Blisters
    • Vitiligo
    • Pruritus
    • Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac
    • Lichen Simplex Chronicus
    • Scleroderma
    • Keratosis Pilaris
    • Hives (Urticaria)
    • Hidradenitis Suppurativa
    • Wrinkles
    • Birthmarks/Pigmented Skin
  • Skin Growths
    • Seborrheic Keratosis
    • Moles (Nevi)
    • Warts
    • Actinic Keratosis
  • Skin Infections
    • Herpes Simplex Virus
    • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
    • Ringworm (Tinea Corporis)
    • Impetigo
    • Erysipelas
    • Chicken Pox (Herpes Varicella Zoster)
    • Cellulitis
    • Candidiasis
    • Boils
    • Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
    • Lyme Disease
    • Folliculitis
    • Scabies
    • Intertrigo
    • Granuloma

Our Location

Louisville, KY Dermatologist
Brownsboro Dermatology
4938 Brownsboro Road Suite 206
Louisville, KY 40222

Tel: (502) 339-2922
Fax: (502) 339-2912

Map & Directions

Brownsboro Dermatology    4938 Brownsboro Road, Ste. 206    Louisville, KY 40222    (502) 339-2922

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • Pay Online
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Schedule Appointment
  • Patient Education
  • Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Notice of Nondiscrimination
  • Site Map

Virtual
Consultation