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Q.

What are the treatments for actinic keratosis?

Related Topics: Actinic Keratosis
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A.

A number of treatments are available for actinic keratoses. They include:

    * Cryosurgery. Liquid nitrogen "freezes" the surface skin, which causes some skin redness until the area is replaced by new skin. This is the most commonly used treatment for actinic keratoses.
    * Surgical removal and biopsy. The lesion may be removed and examined if there is a possibility it has become cancerous.
    * Chemotherapy. A topical anticancer agent called fluorouracil may be applied to remove the skin lesion. A red spot may remain for some time.
    * Photodynamic therapy. A chemical is applied to the skin and after several hours exposed to a light that activates the chemical to destroy the abnormal skin cells.
    * Chemical peel. A chemical solution is applied to the skin to cause blistering and peeling and to trigger new skin growth. Redness and swelling will likely occur.
    * Immunomodular therapy with imiquimod cream works much like fluorouracil to selectively rid the skin of abnormal cells.


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