Short sunbaths are considered not only positive, but also a mandatory factor for human health. Moderate exposure to ultraviolet rays contributes to the production of vitamin D. However, excessive enthusiasm leads to the development of diseases. One of the most dangerous ailments is solar keratosis.
The essence of the pathological process
Sun or actinic keratosis is a skin disease. It develops in areas of the epidermis, which are subject to excessive sun exposure. This is, first of all, the face, ears, neck and lips. Most often, the pathological process is detected in people who spend a lot of time under the scorching sun.
It has a benign course, but can transform into squamous cell carcinoma. However, due to metabolic disorders, solar keratosis does not develop. The appearance of neoplasms (keratomas) is not possible to predict. Affected areas of the skin for a long time may remain unchanged. In medical practice, cases of self-healing are also known, when keratomas pass without a therapeutic effect.
Main reasons
Solar keratosis begins its development against the background of prolonged and regular exposure to sunlight. Their length can vary between 280-320 nm. Violations of a pathological nature do not appear immediately. Therefore, elderly patients predominate among patients whose age has exceeded the mark of 60 years.
Ultraviolet irradiation gradually changes the genetic material of skin cells. As a result, atypical elements appear - anaplastic. They do not have a specific function. Atypical cells over time replace a healthy epidermis, as a result, a complete process of keratinization of the skin is disrupted. He becomes tough and rude.
Under favorable conditions, anaplastic elements easily penetrate under the basement membrane, which limits the epidermis from the dermis. With this clinical picture, the likelihood of the transformation of the disease into a carcinoma increases several times.
Risk factors
In people with fair skin, doctors most often diagnose solar keratosis. Also at risk are patients with HIV infection and a weakened immune system. Experts do not exclude the likelihood of transmission of the disease by inheritance.
The following factors only increase the risk of an ailment:
- accommodation in the southern regions and mountains;
- work under the scorching sun;
- frequent stress;
- hormonal treatment;
- the presence of freckles on the body;
- blue eyes;
- red or blond hair;
- frequent sunburn.
Among young patients, solar keratosis is rarely diagnosed. According to Dr. Komarovsky, the treatment of this disease in this case will practically not differ from that in adults.
Clinical picture
The development of the disease occurs in several stages. First, the stratum corneum grows. Then a dry, slightly protruding and flaky spot appears. It does not itch and does not become inflamed. The lack of discomfort stops the patient, so he does not seek medical help.
The stain gradually grows, and the stratum corneum on it becomes thicker. The neoplasm changes its color. Skin tint in this area can vary from dark red to burgundy brown. Externally, keratoma resembles a crust or wart. Over time, it may fall away, but very soon a new lesion will be formed in this place.
The size of the neoplasm also varies. It can be a flat plaque about 2.5 cm in diameter or a small drop-shaped tubercle.
Varieties of pathology
There are several varieties of solar keratosis. The differences between its forms are determined by the localization of pathology. Consider only the most common of them.
- Hypertrophic keratosis. Atypical elements synthesize dark and light keratin.
- Pigmentary. The focus of the pathology is in the basal layer of the epidermis. The accumulation of melanin in large quantities contributes to the staining of the neoplasm in a dark color.
- Lichenoid. At the border of the basal layer of the skin appear lymphocytic infiltrates - pseudolymphomas. It is they that destroy the upper layers of the epidermis.
- Proliferative. For this form of the disease, the appearance of foci of hyperkeratosis is characteristic, which implies a thickening of the stratum corneum.
- Atrophic. It is localized exclusively in the upper layers of the dermis. In the affected areas “gaps” and cracks form.
- Acantholytic. Pathology is accompanied by the growth of tumor-like formations that are located above existing cracks.
- Bowenoid. This is the initial stage of skin cancer, for which typically the same number of dying and incipient atypical elements.
Determination of the form of the disease is carried out during a diagnostic examination. The study of the nature and localization of the focus of the pathology is necessary for the appointment of effective treatment.
Diagnostic Methods
If you suspect a solar keratosis of the skin, you should immediately consult a doctor. A dermatologist is involved in the treatment of this disease. His diagnosis begins with a routine examination. An experienced specialist already at this stage can suspect an ailment and determine its stage of development.
To confirm the preliminary diagnosis, the patient is prescribed a biopsy of the affected area - a study of individual skin elements in the laboratory. During the procedure, local anesthesia is necessarily used.
After confirming the diagnosis, the dermatologist selects the therapy. Usually, hardware methods are used to combat the disease and medications are prescribed. More details about each treatment method will be described below.
Hardware treatment methods
The basis of the treatment of this disease is hardware exposure techniques. The essence of treatment is to remove pathological foci. For this purpose, modern medicine suggests using one of several procedures proposed below.
- Cryotherapy (cauterization with liquid nitrogen). Recommended for large areas of damage. After freezing, scaly elements are removed, and the skin under them becomes clean. One of the side effects of the procedure is hyperpigmentation of the skin.
- Laser Therapy The treatment of the pigmented form of solar keratosis is most often carried out precisely with the help of a laser. This is a relatively painless and at the same time effective way of influencing pathology. Under the influence of high temperatures, the plaque literally evaporates.
- Diathermocoagulation. During the procedure, the plaque is stripped by electric current. Mandatory use of anesthesia.
- Photodynamic therapy. The doctor applies a special cream to the keratous areas, which enhances the sensitivity of the dermis to the action of the supplied waves. Then the focus is treated with a light beam. The procedure is well tolerated and recommended for older people.
If during the diagnosis, the doctor confirmed the benignness of the process, treatment of solar keratosis is allowed in the beauty salon. A specialist can conduct chemical peeling and dermabrasion. During these procedures, the upper layers of the epidermis are removed using chemicals and brushes. As a result, the patient leaves the cosmetologist's office with renewed and healthy skin.
Drug use
When treatment of solar keratosis of the skin by surgery is not possible, medications are used. As a rule, these are creams with a high content of fluorouracil. This substance literally kills excessively keratinized cells. Also for therapeutic purposes, ointments with an anti-inflammatory effect are used. For example, Imiquimod. Prescribed drugs are recommended for repeated courses.
More recently, a new drug, "Picato." It can be used only 2-3 days. The drug is available in two forms:
- a concentration of 0.015% for the face and head;
- concentration of 0.05% for the trunk and limbs.
If after removal of solar keratosis, redness or peeling of the skin appears nearby, there is no reason to worry. "Picato" can cause this kind of side effects. However, over the course of a week, all painful reactions gradually subside.
Possible complications and prognosis for recovery
Keratosis is dangerous because without proper treatment it can transform into a malignant disease. However, even after a course of therapy, it is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the skin, use protective equipment from the sun. Only in this case can we hope for a favorable forecast. The development of complications, including among elderly patients, is extremely rare.
Prevention Methods
The treatment of solar keratosis of the skin, symptoms and signs of the disease should be handled by a qualified specialist. What can an ordinary person do to prevent the occurrence of such an unpleasant ailment? To do this, it is enough to adhere to simple recommendations:
- Doctors advise to avoid sunburn and sunburn. In summer, use special protective equipment. The experts consider the most dangerous time for sunbathing to be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Do not forget that even in winter you can get a sunburn. Pure snow and ice perfectly reflect ultraviolet rays. Therefore, during long winter walks, skin protective equipment should also be used.
- In the wardrobe for the summer period it is necessary to have clothes with long sleeves and spacious skirts / trousers made of linen or cotton. You can wear wide-brimmed hats and caps with a visor that will slightly obscure the face and ears.
- With age, it is better to refuse to visit the solarium, the use of widely advertised means to enhance tanning.
Everyone should monitor the condition of the skin. If any changes appear (an increase in the size of a mole or plaque, the variability of its color), you should consult a dermatologist. The sooner the doctor discovers the pathology, the greater the chance of a successful cure.