What causes actinic keratosis?
The main cause of actinic keratosis is being out in the sun too much and too often. This includes working outdoors a lot or living near the equator (place on earth that is closest to the sun). The following factors and conditions may also increase your risk of having actinic keratosis: Age: Advanced age, particularly in people over 40 years of age.Use of tanning beds: Tanning booths and sun lamps release man-made ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) rays that may damage the skin.Weak immune system: Having chemotherapy, organ transplants, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) may cause you to have a weak immune system. The immune system is the part of your body that fights infection.Other skin diseases: These include xeroderma pigmentosum, human papilloma infection, skin ulcers, or burn scars.
