What do actinic keratoses look like?
Actinic keratoses are found on chronically sun-exposed skin, most commonly on a fair-skinned person, middle-aged or older. They are commonly found on the sides of the forehead, the ears, the scalp of bald men, and the backs of the hands. The typical AK lesion is a dry, scaly, rough, skin-colored to reddish-brown “bump” on the skin. It may range from the size of a pinhead to larger than a quarter. Skin-colored AK lesions may be noticed more by touch because they tend to have a sharp, hard scale and feel like sandpaper. They are often sensitive or “touchy.” Wrinkling, furrowing, and other signs of sun damage may be present with AK lesions. Sometimes, the skin cells making up an AK lesion undergo abnormal growth and become a “cutaneous horn.” The cutaneous horn gets its name from its appearance because it can look like the horn of an animal. The size of a horn may vary from a pinhead to a pencil eraser, and its shape may be straight or curved. The external ear is a common site for a cutan
