What does Actinic Keratosis Look Like?
Actinic keratoses are found on chronically sun-exposed skin, most commonly on fair-skinned people. 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, and rough skin-colored to reddish-brown “bump.” AK lesions may range from the size of a pinhead to larger than a quarter. Skin-colored AK lesions may be noticed by the touch and feel like sandpaper. 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 (it can look like the horn of an animal). The size of a horn may vary from a pinhead to a pencil head eraser and its shape may be straight or curved. The external ear is a common site for cutaneous horns.
