It is rare for new moles to appear after the age of 30-40 years. I have already spoken several times about melanocytic nevi (technical name of “moles”) and as you know, they can be present from birth or appear throughout life. It is rare for them to appear after the age of 30-35.
However, around this age and beyond, some of you will notice the appearance of new brown spots that are sometimes raised, rough, and may be itchy. If you notice such a spot or bump, chances are it is a seborrheic keratosis. Although it never hurts to consult a dermatologist to confirm this…
What are seborrheic keratoses?
These are tumors (keeping in mind that the word “tumor” in medicine means nothing more than “lump”) that originate from the most superficial layers of the skin (epidermis) and are benign. They are usually brown in color, although some are very dark, almost black, and others are almost skin-colored. They are usually lumpy and their surface is rough; it is not uncommon for them to occasionally peel off or even break off a small piece. They are often confused with warts, but although they look similar, they are not exactly the same.
They may itch or bleed after a slight rubbing.
More pictures of seborrhoeic keratosis
Why do they appear?
We can consider seborrheic keratoses as part of skin aging. It is thought that the amount of sun we get throughout our lives influences their appearance, but this is not entirely clear because they also appear, although less frequently, in areas that are not exposed to the sun. Some people are more susceptible to their appearance than others, so there is probably some genetic predisposition.
Is there any risk?
Seborrheic keratoses are by definition benign and are unlikely to progress to skin cancer. Even if they grow, they remain benign.
How are they diagnosed?
The most common is that with a simple examination, using a dermatoscope, we can differentiate a seborrheic keratosis from other types of patches. In this sense, the most important thing is to distinguish it from a melanoma, which, as you know, is one of the most aggressive skin cancers. In rare cases, in order to make this distinction, we need to perform a biopsy of the lesion to confirm that it is a seborrheic keratosis.
How can they be treated?
Seborrheic keratoses can be treated with cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen), laser (usually CO2 laser) or they can be removed. Occasionally, a lighter or darker spot may remain in the area of the seborrheic keratosis after removal.
In conclusion…
Seborrheic keratoses are completely benign and pose no risk. However, it is always important to differentiate them from moles or even melanoma, and it is advisable to see a dermatologist for this. If they are not aesthetically pleasing, they can be easily removed with treatments such as cryotherapy.
