Dry Spots On Back
Rashes come in many forms, and common causes include contact dermatitis, bodily infections, and allergic reactions to taking medication. They can be dry, moist, bumpy, smooth, cracked,. Related: Fight & Prevent Wrinkles, Dryness, Dark Spots With Bioenergy Cream Because prevention is better than cure, you have to: Use a daily lotion that prevents the buildup of dead skin and help soften your skin like a glycolic 10% (alpha hydroxy), beta hydroxy, or Amlactin.
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Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 16, 2020.
- Care Notes
- Overview
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
What is actinic keratosis (AK)?
AK, also called solar keratosis, is a precancerous skin disease. Precancerous means that it may develop into cancer. AK causes a dry, scaly, or rough bump to form on your skin. AK is found more often in fair-skinned, light-haired people. AK is caused by sun exposure.
What increases my risk for AK?
- Older than 40 years
- Use of tanning beds
- Weakened immune system
- Other skin conditions such as xeroderma pigmentosum or burn scars
What are the signs and symptoms of AK?
AK may occur as a single sore or as many sores of different sizes. Most of these bumps are found on the head, neck, or arms. You may have dry, scaly, or rough skin sores. The sores may be pink, red, brown, or the same color as your skin. Your sores may become hard, crusty, and wartlike. The sores may become itchy or painful. They may bleed when touched.
How is AK diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will ask about your sores and examine you. Tell your provider what your sore first looked like and when it started. He or she may ask about your sun exposure, medical history, and activities. A biopsy of your skin or sore may show if you have AK.
How is AK treated?
Cryotherapy may be used to freeze bumps or spots with liquid nitrogen. Medicines may also be used on your skin to treat your AK. Take them as directed. Other procedures may be needed. Your healthcare provider may cut, scrape, freeze, or burn a section of skin to remove the AK. Your healthcare provider may recommend chemical peels, dermabrasion, or laser therapy to treat your AK.
How can I protect my skin?
- Check your skin for new bumps once a month. Know what your birthmarks look like. Watch closely for changes.
- Protect your skin:
- Do not use tanning beds. The beds use ultraviolet (UV) rays and can damage your skin as much as the sun.
- Wear sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher. The sunscreen should also have UVA and UVB protection. Follow the directions on the label when you use sunscreen. Put on more sunscreen if you are in the sun for longer than an hour. Reapply sunscreen often if you swim or sweat.
- Stay out of the sun between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. The sun is strongest and most damaging to your skin between these times.
- Protect your lips by using lipsticks and lip balms that contain sunscreen.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect your arms and legs when you are out in the sun. Wear a hat with a wide brim to protect both your face and neck.
When should I contact my healthcare provider?
- Your skin stings or burns when you use your medicines.
- You have new or worsening symptoms.
- You have pus or blood oozing out of sores.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Care Agreement
You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Dry Scales On Back
Learn more about Actinic Keratosis
Associated drugs
Mayo Clinic Reference
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 29, 2020.
- Health Guide
What is Seborrheic Keratoses?
Seborrheic keratoses are benign (noncancerous) skin growths that develop from skin cells called keratinocytes. These growths have a waxy or greasy look and can be tan, brown or black. They look like they have been glued or stuck onto the skin. Over time, the growths become rough and crusty looking.
Seborrheic keratoses usually appear alone, but others may develop. They usually are found on the chest and back but can appear anywhere on the body, including the face, scalp and neck.
No one knows what causes seborrheic keratoses, but they become more common with age. Most people will develop some seborrheic keratoses as they get older, and children rarely have them. Seborrheic keratoses are not contagious.
Symptoms
Seborrheic keratoses look like crusty growths on the skin that typically start out tan or brown but can darken over time. They tend to have a greasy appearance and look as though they were glued onto the skin, as opposed to growing from it. They may be tiny, or larger than 3 inches across. They rarely itch.
Diagnosis
Physicians usually can diagnose seborrheic keratoses by looking at them. In rare cases, seborrheic keratoses may look like other skin disorders, including malignant melanoma. If the diagnosis is uncertain, your physician may want to do a biopsy, in which a portion of the growth is removed and examined under a microscope.
Expected Duration
Seborrheic keratoses do not go away on their own. If they are not removed, they will last a lifetime.
Prevention
There is no way to prevent seborrheic keratoses from developing.
Treatment
Seborrheic keratoses do not require treatment. Although they may grow relatively large and can become dark, they are not dangerous.
If seborrheic keratoses become irritated, itchy or unsightly or if they bleed, they can be removed in a doctor's office. Because the skin is numbed before any procedure, treatment is mostly painless. The three main methods of removal are:
- Curettage—After the skin is numbed, the growths are sliced or scraped off using an instrument called a curette.
- Cryosurgery or freezing—Liquid nitrogen is applied to the growths. The seborrheic keratoses crust over and then fall off a few weeks later.
- Electrosurgery—An electric current burns the growths off.
When To Call a Professional
See a health care professional if you develop any unusual skin growths or if existing growths start to change their appearance. If multiple seborrheic keratoses develop suddenly, call your physician's office to schedule an appointment. It may be a sign of another disease.
Prognosis
Seborrheic keratoses do not go away on their own, but they can be removed if they become irritating or unsightly. There is no harm in not treating the growths, because they are benign (noncancerous) and do not become cancerous.
External resources
American Academy of Dermatology
http://www.aad.org/
Further information
Dry Spot On Back Of Head
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.