Seborrheic Keratoses: The Basics
- Posted on: Aug 15 2018
Have you just found something new on your skin? Are you curious? Panicking? We’ve certainly all been there: you find something new on your skin try to scrub it off, thinking it’s a little spot of dirt or makeup. After it decidedly doesn’t wash off, what do you do next? Many of us jump online to search for what we’ve just found on our skin. Worriedly scouring the internet may bring up some scary options and worrisome suggestions, but there’s usually a benign option that is most often what it is. Though we always recommend getting new skin growths checked out, we don’t recommend worrying! Sometimes that little bump is harmless, like when it turns out to be Seborrheic Keratosis.
Seborrheic Keratosis: What Exactly Is It?
Seborrheic Keratosis is a harmless growth on the skin, which is often brown or a light tan color. Sometimes one of these little lesions can be black. Their size can vary from a few millimeters to a few centimeters long. Also, they’re not very discerning about where they show up. As long as your bump is not on the palm of your hand or bottom of your foot, it could be Seborrheic Keratosis. And, yes, they are harmless. Seborrheic Keratosis may cause discomfort if located near a bra strap or underwear waistband, but they are not cancerous or precancerous.
Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra
Similar to Seborrheic Keratosis, Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra is a sub-type of SK that occurs in African Americans, Asians, and Polynesians. These are also not harmful or cancerous. As with Seborrheic Keratosis, some patients who have Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra may want their lesion removed for purely cosmetic reasons. Removal is simple and can be done with liquid nitrogen or a Co2 Laser treatment.
If you’ve recently developed a new little bump or lesion, please give us a call to rule out anything dangerous. Chances are, you have a little Seborrheic Keratosis or Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra. Call us today at (303) 761-7797 to schedule a consultation and get the peace of mind you get from knowing exactly what that little bump is!
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