Your Skin Is Scaling Up: Is It Cancer?

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Skin problems, especially ugly conditions like scaly skin, can be frustrating and hard to handle. While the sudden emergence of scaly skin isn't necessarily a sign of skin cancer, it could be. As a result, you need to understand when scaly is a sign of cancer and how it can be treated.

Yes, Scaly Skin May Be Cancer

Scaly skin is often caused by a variety of health problems, including psoriasis and other forms of dermatitis. In fact, simple dry skin can cause slightly scaly skin. The problematic type of scaling is when skin starts getting dry, red, scaly, rough and continues to grow in size or change in color.

If these conditions are met, there's a chance you are suffering from actinic keratosis. This is a type of skin scaling that occurs when you have skin cancer, and it will only get worse if it is not treated. Understanding the full range of symptoms and causes of this skin condition can help get an appropriate diagnosis and proper treatment. 

Causes and Symptoms of Actinic Keratosis

If you suspect you have actinic keratosis, quickly gauge how much sun you've been exposed to lately. This skin condition is almost totally caused by chronic sun exposure, even on cloudy days. Signs and symptoms that sun exposure has caused actinic keratosis on your skin include:

  • Scaly skin that is usually less than an inch in diameter
  • Raised bumps on the top layer of skin
  • Wart-like bumps
  • Areas that are pink, red, and brown
  • Itching or burning sensation in the affected areas

If these lesions have been growing on your skin, you need to go to a doctor right away and get them checked out. Treatment must be done quickly before the problem gets too serious. You don't necessarily have to get chemotherapy or radiation therapy for this kind of skin problem, so get to the doctor immediately.

Treatments for This Problem

After your doctor confirms the appearance of actinic keratosis, they will help you choose a treatment method that will eliminate this budding skin cancer. Treatments that have been approved to eliminate lesions and to decrease their recurrence include:

  • Surgical removal of the lesions
  • Avoidance of the sun as much as possible (especially between 10 am and 3 pm)
  • Wearing sunscreen and protective clothing daily
  • Treatment with topical medications, such as fluorouracil
  • Use of photodynamic therapy, which uses a specific wavelength of light to eliminate cells

By carefully monitoring and treating the various skin concerns like this, you can keep yourself from developing skin cancer. Regular checkups with your doctor is a great idea, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors or enjoy sunbathing.  

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