Rare in the Orientals and in people of color, it occurs mainly on the face and trunk of Caucasian individuals who have reached an advanced age, without preference for sex. There seborrheic keratosis, a benign tumor that affects the skin, is distinguishable by the formation of brown-brown specks, almost always in relief. The surface of the affected areas tends to flake, resulting in the appearance of oily crusts prone to peeling off. Unlike the actinic form, this dermatological disorder does not evolve into malignant pathologies. There are various subtypes of seborrheic keratosis. The acanthus, the most frequent, has a diffuse hazelnut to dark brown pigmentation with horny pseudo-cysts. The acroposal, characterized by multiple skin lesions, mainly affects the legs. Then there are known forms of hyperkeratotic, pigmented keratosis and the so-called papulosa nigra. Finally, the irritated or converted one is accompanied by skin changes such as bleeding and redness. Since the spots sometimes take on a brownish color, this type can be confused with the pigmented basal cell epithelioma.
The are not yet known causes of seborrheic keratosis, the only connection that scholars have managed to prove was familiarity. In fact, the disorder is genetically transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner. Another certainty is given by the fact that the evolution of seborrheic keratosis is enhanced by irritation or hormonal alterations, although they are not directly responsible. Here, therefore, that during menopause (transition time in which hormones undergo major changes) the symptoms exacerbate. According to some research, since it is known that seborrheic keratosis occurs in people who have exposed the skin to sunlight for long periods, UV radiation is involved in its etiology. However, the disease also affects those who have sunbathed moderately and with due precautions. The debate is therefore still open.
THE symptoms typical of seborrheic keratosis are yellowish papules (also called warts seborrheic) which, with the passage of time, scaly and darken. In reality the color, from hazelnut to blue, changes according to the subtype of keratosis with which the patient is affected. The lesions, ranging in size from 1 millimeter to 1 centimeter (although there have been cases in which they were even larger) mainly affect the face and trunk and are not infectious. Typically asymptomatic, they can sometimes become irritated and cause itching and / or bleeding. Very often the person suffering from seborrheic keratosis feels the sensation that the papules can easily come off. Partial or total eradication actually occurs following a trauma.