What is the root cause of seborrheic keratosis?

It’s not clear what exactly causes seborrheic keratoses. They tend to run in families, so genes may be a cause. Normal skin aging plays a role because the growths are more common with age. Too much sun exposure may also play a role.

Is there a cream to remove seborrheic keratosis?

Topical treatment with tazarotene cream 0.1% applied twice daily for 16 weeks caused clinical improvement in seborrheic keratoses in 7 of 15 patients. In 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a concentrated hydrogen peroxide 40% solution (Eskata) for adults with raised seborrheic keratosis.

What soap is best for seborrheic keratosis?

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicated shampoos and cleansers containing Pyrithione Zinc (ZNP bar soap – zinc soap) can help control and reduce the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff.

What essential oils are good for seborrheic keratosis?

If patients apply a mixture of frankincense essential oil in a castor carrier oil to seborrheic keratosis for the duration of one month, then the coloration and appearance of seborrheic keratosis will decrease.

What does it look like when you have seborrheic keratosis?

A seborrheic keratosis (seb-o-REE-ik ker-uh-TOE-sis) is a common noncancerous skin growth. People tend to get more of them as they get older. Seborrheic keratoses are usually brown, black or light tan. The growths look waxy, scaly and slightly raised. They usually appear on the head, neck, chest or back.

How old do you have to be to get seborrheic keratosis?

These could be signs of skin cancer. Doctors don’t know exactly what causes seborrheic keratoses. The growths tend to run in some families, so genes may play a role. You’re generally more likely to develop seborrheic keratoses if you’re over age 50. You’re also more likely to have them if you have a family history of the condition.

How is seborrheic keratosis treated at the Mayo Clinic?

Scraping the skin’s surface (curettage). First your doctor will numb the area and then use a scalpel blade to remove the growth. Sometimes scraping is used along with cryosurgery to treat thinner or flat growths. It may also be used with electrocautery. Burning with an electric current (electrocautery).

Are there genital warts similar to seborrheic keratoses?

Condylomas and warts can clinically resemble seborrheic keratoses, and dermatoscopy can be helpful. On the penis and genital skin, condylomas and seborrheic keratoses can be difficult to differentiate, even on biopsy. A study examining over 4000 biopsied skin lesions identified as seborrheic keratoses showed 3.1% were malignancies.