Overview
Seborrheic keratosis (seb-o-REE-ik care-uh-TOE-sis) is a common skin growth. It may seem worrisome because it can look like a wart or skin cancer. Despite their appearance, seborrheic keratoses are harmless and are not contagious.
Most people will develop these spots at some point in their lives, especially as they get older. It’s possible to have just one of these growths, but most people develop several. Some growths may have a warty surface and may be white, light tan, red, brown, or black.
Signs and Symptoms
- Start as small, rough bumps, then slowly thicken and develop a warty surface.
- Have a waxy, stuck-on-the-skin look.
- Brown, though they range in color from white to black.
- Range in size from a fraction of an inch to larger than a half-dollar.
- Form on the chest, back, stomach, scalp, face, neck, or other parts of the body (but not on the palms and soles).
What Causes Seborrheic Keratoses
The cause of seborrheic keratoses is unknown. However, they seem to run in families. Some people seem to inherit a tendency to get many of these growths. They are not related to sun exposure and can even appear in areas that are not typically exposed to the sun.
It is also important to understand that seborrheic keratoses can NEVER turn into skin cancer. They are purely benign growths, even if they are scraped or bumped by combs, necklaces, garments, and fingernails.
Treatment Options
Even though many people don’t like the look of them, insurance will not cover the removal of seborrheic keratoses unless it is necessary according to strict medical necessity criteria (because they are totally benign!). The dermatologist may remove one if there is a history of irritation or bleeding.
It is important to note that treating seborrheic keratoses with ANY method carries the risk of leaving a white spot on the skin, and there is no guarantee that the spot will disappear completely. Treatment also does not prevent the development of new seborrheic keratoses.
Treatment options include:
- Cryosurgery: Liquid nitrogen, a very cold liquid, is sprayed on the growth. This destroys the growth. Sometimes a blister forms under the seborrheic keratosis and dries into a scab-like crust, which resolves in several days.
- Electrosurgery and curettage: Electrosurgery (electrocautery) involves numbing the growth with an anesthetic and using an electric current to destroy the growth. A scoop-shaped surgical instrument, a curette, is used to scrape off the treated growth. This is the curettage. You do not need stitches. There may be a small amount of bleeding. Sometimes only electrosurgery or just curettage is needed.
- Compound SK peel: This option is a compounded peel that destroys the seborrheic keratoses. If you are interested in this option, let us know and we can send in a prescription. Be aware that the medicine is not covered by insurance. The peel can be obtained from Nucara pharmacy in Ames, Iowa, for $95 with the prescription. You can also get it from Medrock pharmacy in Chattanooga. They make the same product for $45 in an easy-to-use “pen” that dispenses the medicine as you click the pen. I am unsure how this compares to the product produced by Nucara, as the picture on their site is not a result of their exact product; however, it is certainly cheaper, ships free, and has the same ingredients.
Outcome
After removal of a seborrheic keratosis, the skin may be lighter than the surrounding skin. This usually fades with time. Sometimes it is permanent. Most removed seborrheic keratoses do not return, but a new one may occur elsewhere.
Have questions about a growth like this, or want me to take a look? You can book online or call the office at 423-528-8833. This page is for general education, not a substitute for a personal exam.