The cause of keratosis precancerous spots is most commonly found to be excess sun exposure. These precancerous spots are also known as solar keratosis and actinic keratosis. These spots are red in color and are also covered with a yellow or white crust-like substance. These spots are precancerous and should be removed surgically by a physician.
The cause of keratosis can be eliminated by avoiding excess sun exposure. Fair skinned individuals are at higher risk of developing keratosis. These spots are most commonly found on areas of the skin that have been exposed to excess sun such as: the face, the nose, the ears, and the arms.
These spots can range in size from the size of a pencil point to the size of an eraser and they can cluster together which makes them appear larger. Another type of keratosis skin condition which can also develop is cutaneous horns. This condition is a horny type of growth which protrudes from the skin. These keratosis conditions are painful and sore and they should be removed as quickly as possible.
The risk of developing into cancer is found to be 5% to 10%. This risk can be greatly reduced and eliminated by having the keratosis completely removed by a physician and by avoiding additional sun exposure. Melanoma is a skin cancer which can develop from keratosis, if it is not treated quickly by a physician.
Additional causes of keratosis include a drug and therapy used to treat psoriasis. The chemicals used during this ultraviolet light treatment have been known to cause keratosis. These chemicals are called psoralens. There is also a greater risk for organ transplant patients and those with suppressed immune systems to develop these pre-cancerous rash like spots.
It is recommended based on the causes of keratosis that persons with fair skin avoid excess sun exposure from an early age. Other forms of sun damage are associated with keratosis such as wrinkles and age spots. The keratosis has the potential of developing into melanoma skin cancer and the painful and sore spots should be removed by a surgeon as quickly as possible.
