Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery is considered as the most preferred option for treating actinic keratosis. During this curing process, Liquid Nitrogen gets applied on the surface affected, either by use of spray device, or cotton tip applicator. This method is made effective, owing to the extreme coldness of liquid Nitrogen utilized. As a result therefore, it precipitates lethal action to bombarded cells. In spite of its effectiveness, patients undergoing cryosurgery treatment will still find it a bit painful, and this therapy will also prompt some feeling of discomfort. In equal importance, the freezing process applied might occasion blister formation, discolored patches of skin, swelling and reddening, to the affected areas. Individuals affected by keratosis may also contract infections in wounded regions, as a consequence of delayed healing from cryosurgery. Scarring may also occur after this procedure has been conducted.
Curettage
Curettage is a healing mechanism whereby a peripheral skin condition is scraped away. The usual tool applied in the scraping process is called a curette, even though a scalpel may also be used for this procedure. Though also famed for effective treatment delivery, patients undertaking curettage require local anesthesia, in order to escape the rigors of surgical trauma. Apart from the scarring possibility that this therapeutic method carries, there is also a risk of infection associated with it.
Photodynamic Therapy
In photodynamic therapy, a light-induced drug undergoes a chemical reaction which kills abnormal cells. This mode of treatment further works on the premise that the drug introduced gets absorbed by skin cells. This factor then triggers the cells to exhibit selective sensitivity toward specified wavelength or color of light. Applying this procedure on affected skin regions therefore kills degenerative cells, thereby causing healing of keratosis to occur. Aminolevulinicacid (ALA) is the most common drug application for this therapy. Photodynamic therapy has several important advantages to the user, but still carries some demerits. The process inflicts a measure of pain, arising from the typical photodynamic reaction initiated. This manifests as itching, reddening, swelling, burning or stinging sensation on the skin surface. In addition, you might require anaesthetization for you to evade irradiative pain.
Topical 5-Fluorouracil
Also known as 5-FU, Topical 5-fluorouracil is a cream application for the skin. By binding the DNA in cells, this cream medication leads to death of cells afflicted with keratosis. The therapy applied here has excellent cosmetic outcome, but also bears few disadvantages on patients. Disfiguration and pain caused by reddening and inflammation of treatment spots, is the main demerit of 5- FU.
