Seborrheic Keratosis

(Benign Skin Tumors)

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

Definition

Seborrheic keratosis is a raised growth on the skin. It is not cancerous and does not spread to others.

Causes

The exact cause it not known. Genetics may play a role.

Risk Factors

Seborrheic keratosis is more common in people aged 40 years and older. It is also more common in people with fair skin and a family history of this problem.

Symptoms

Most people have more than 1 growth. The growths may:

Look yellow, tan, brown, white, or black
Be waxy or look like warts
Be itchy when irritated by clothing or jewelry
Happen anywhere on the skin

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. It will focus on the skin. This is often enough to make the diagnosis in most people. A skin biopsy may be done on some people to confirm the diagnosis.

Punch Biopsy of the Skin

Treatment

The growth is harmless and does not need to be removed. Some people may want it removed when it is irritated by clothing or jewelry or is unsightly. This may result in small dark or light spot or a scar.

It can be removed using:

A tool to scrape it off
Cryotherapy to freeze the growth, which falls off a few days later
Laser surgery to burn the growth off

Prevention

There are no current guidelines to prevent this problem.

RESOURCES:

American Academy of Dermatology
http://www.aad.org

Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians
http://familydoctor.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Dermatology Association
http://www.dermatology.ca

College of Family Physicians of Canada
http://www.cfpc.ca

References:

Common benign skin lesions. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/common-benign-skin-lesions. Updated February 5, 2018. Accessed December 10, 2019.

Moreno-Ramírez D, Ruiz-Villaverde R, et al. Process of care for patients with benign cysts and tumors: Consensus document of the Andalusian Regional Section of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV). Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2016 Jun;107(5):391-399.

Seborrheic keratosis. American Academy of Dermatology website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed December 10, 2019.

Seborrheic keratosis. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed December 10, 2019.

Last reviewed September 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board James Cornell, MD
Last Updated: 7/28/2020

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