Short sunbathing is considered not only a positive, but also a mandatory factor for human he alth. Moderate exposure to ultraviolet rays contributes to the production of vitamin D. However, excessive exposure leads to the development of diseases. One of the most dangerous ailments is solar keratosis.
The essence of the pathological process
Solar or actinic keratosis is a skin disease. It develops in areas of the epidermis that are exposed to excessive solar 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 occurrence of neoplasms (keratomas) is not possible to predict. Affected areas of the skin for a long time canremain unchanged. In medical practice, cases of self-healing are also known, when keratomas disappear without therapeutic effects.
Main reasons
Solar keratosis begins its development against the background of prolonged and regular exposure to sunlight. Their length can vary within 280-320 nm. Pathological disorders do not appear immediately. Therefore, among patients, elderly people, whose age has crossed the mark of 60 years, predominate.
UV radiation gradually changes the genetic material of skin cells. As a result, atypical elements appear - anaplastic. They don't have a specific function. Over time, atypical cells replace the he althy epidermis, as a result, the full process of keratinization of the skin is disrupted. He gets tough and rough.
Under favorable conditions, anaplastic elements easily penetrate under the basement membrane that separates the epidermis from the dermis. With such a clinical picture, the probability of transforming the disease into carcinoma increases several times.
Risk factors
People with fair skin are most often diagnosed with solar keratosis. Patients with HIV infection and weakened immune systems are also at risk. Experts do not exclude the possibility of transmission of the disease by inheritance.
The following factors only increase the risk of illness:
- living in the southern regions and mountains;
- work under the scorchingsun;
- frequent stress;
- treatment with hormonal drugs;
- presence of freckles on the body;
- blue eyes;
- red or blonde hair;
- frequent sunburns.
Solar keratosis is rarely diagnosed among young patients. 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 horny layer of the skin grows. Then a dry, slightly protruding and flaky spot appears. It doesn't itch or get inflamed. Lack of discomfort stops the patient from seeking medical help.
Gradually, the spot grows, and the stratum corneum on it becomes thicker. The neoplasm changes its color. Skin tone in this area can range from dark red to burgundy brown. Outwardly, the keratoma resembles a crust or wart. Over time, it may fall off, but very soon a new lesion will form in this place.
The size of the neoplasm also varies. It may be a flat plaque about 2.5 cm in diameter or a small tear-shaped bump.
Varieties of pathology
There are several varieties of solar keratosis. Differences between its forms are determined by the localization of the pathology. Consider only the most common of them.
- Hypertrophic keratosis. Atypical elements synthesize dark and light keratin.
- Pigmented. The focus of pathology is in the basal layer of the epidermis. The accumulation of melanin in large quantities contributes to staining the neoplasm in a dark color.
- Lichenoid. At the border of the basal layer of the skin, lymphocytic infiltrates appear - pseudolymphomas. It is they who destroy the upper layers of the epidermis.
- Proliferative. This form of the disease is characterized by the appearance of foci of hyperkeratosis, which implies a thickening of the stratum corneum of the skin.
- Atrophic. Localized exclusively in the upper layers of the dermis. "Gaps" and cracks form in affected areas.
- Acantholitic. Pathology is accompanied by the growth of tumor-like formations that are located above existing cracks.
- Bovenoid. This is the initial stage of skin cancer, for which the same number of dying and emerging atypical elements is typical.
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 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. This disease is treated by a dermatologist. Its diagnosis begins with a routine examination. An experienced specialist already at this stage may suspect an ailment and determine its stage of development.
To confirm the preliminary diagnosisthe patient is prescribed a biopsy of the affected area - the study of individual skin elements in the laboratory. During the procedure, local anesthesia is required.
After confirming the diagnosis, the dermatologist selects the therapy. Usually, hardware techniques are used to combat the disease and medications are prescribed. More details about each method of treatment will be described below.
Hardware treatment methods
The basis of the treatment of this disease is hardware methods of exposure. The essence of treatment is to remove pathological foci. To this end, modern medicine suggests using one of several procedures suggested below.
- Cryotherapy (cauterization with liquid nitrogen). Recommended for large affected area. After freezing, flaky elements are removed, and the skin underneath becomes clean. One of the side effects of the procedure is skin hyperpigmentation.
- Laser therapy. Treatment of the pigmented form of solar keratosis is most often carried out with the help of a laser. This is a relatively painless and at the same time effective way to influence the pathology. Under the influence of high temperatures, the plaque literally evaporates.
- Diathermocoagulation. During the procedure, the plaque is cleaned with an electric current. Mandatory use of anesthesia.
- Photodynamic therapy. The doctor applies a special cream to the keratotic areas, which increases the sensitivity of the dermis to the action.delivered 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 good quality of the process, the treatment of solar keratosis is allowed in a beauty salon. A specialist can perform chemical peels 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 he althy skin.
Medication use
When the treatment of solar keratosis of the skin is not possible by surgery, drugs 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. The prescribed drugs are recommended to be used in repeated courses.
Recently, a new drug "Picato" has appeared. It can only be used for 2-3 days. The drug is available in two forms:
- concentration 0.015% for face and head;
- 0.05% concentration for torso and limbs.
If redness or peeling of the skin appears next to the removal of solar keratosis, there is no reason to worry. "Picato" can cause this kind of side effects. However, within 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 prognosis. The development of complications, including among elderly patients, is extremely rare.
Prevention Methods
Solar keratosis of the skin, symptoms and signs of the disease should be treated by a qualified specialist. What can an ordinary person do to prevent the occurrence of such an unpleasant disease? To do this, it is enough to follow simple recommendations:
- Doctors advise avoiding sunburn and sunburn. In summer it is necessary to use special protective equipment. According to experts, the most dangerous time for sunbathing is the period from 11 am to 4 pm.
- Do not forget that even in winter you can get sunburn. Pure snow and ice perfectly reflect ultraviolet rays. Therefore, during long winter walks, skin protection should also be used.
- In the wardrobe for the summer period, you must 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 shade the face and ears.
- With age, it is better to refuse to visit the solarium, the use of widely advertised means to enhancetan.
Each person 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 detects the pathology, the greater the chances of a successful cure.
