Overview
Seborrhoeic keratosis is a common, non-cancerous skin growth that appears as a waxy, brown, black, or tan lesion, often in older adults.
Symptoms
Raised, wart-like or waxy skin growths Color can vary from light tan to dark brown or black Usually round or oval in shape Surface may be smooth, scaly, or slightly rough Generally painless but may become itchy or irritated
Causes
Aging and genetic predisposition Sun exposure over time Unknown triggers in some cases
Diagnosis
Clinical examination by a dermatologist Dermatoscopy to examine lesion features Biopsy if appearance is unusual or to rule out skin cancer
Treatment
Often no treatment is required if asymptomatic Cryotherapy (freezing off the lesion) Curettage or shaving of the lesion Laser treatment for cosmetic purposes Topical treatments are rarely used