What are Seborrhoeic keratosis?
Seborrhoeic keratosis are also known as seborrhoeic warts (or as we like to call them in clinic “wisdom spots”). They are very common, harmless (benign) growths of skin, often caused by a build up of skin cells.
What do Seborrhoeic warts look like?
They are often slightly raised and appear to be “stuck on” to the skin and have a waxy / greasy feel when touched. Seborrhoiec warts tend to be either light tan, brown or black in colour and vary in size from very small (a few millimetres) to several centimetres and you may find several of them on your body. We tend to develop more of them as we get older and they can appear anywhere on the body, though rarely on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet.
Are Seborrhoeic warts Dangerous?
No. Seborrhoeic warts are harmless and do not turn in to skin cancers. They are not infectious (i.e. you can not pass them from one person to another). Most people often find them unsightly or find them irritating, as they can itch, bleed and catch on clothing and jewellery. If you notice any changes in shape, size or colour of your seborrhoeic wart, then ask your doctor to review it.
How are seborrhoeic warts treated?
Two common ways of treating them are:
Cryotherapy. This is the process used to remove things, like skin lesions by freezing them. The commonest used product is liquid nitrogen. This is sprayed onto the skin using a canister or applying it with a cotton wool bud.
Curettage is the process of removing them by injecting a small amount of anaesthetic into the skin to numb the area and then “scraping or shaving” it off with a small surgical instrument called a curette.
Once removed they tend not to come back, though you may develop them elsewhere on your body. If they are not bothering you, they can be left alone and don’t always require treatment.
It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between seborrhoeic warts and other skin lesions like skin tags, lipomas, cysts and moles. If you are unsure or have any concerns see your GP or a specialist for review.
Is your Seborrhoeic Keratosis removal near me?
We serve patients from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, London and are within easy reach of:
Ascot – Beaconsfield – Bracknell – Bray – Cookham – Henley – Maidenhead – Marlow – Reading – Sonning – Slough -Stoke Poges – Sunningdale – Wentworth – Windsor
