Lichenoid keratosis describes a reddish to brown, benign (noncancerous) lesion on the skin usually due to overexposure or unprotected exposure to the sun. Lichenoid keratosis usually appears as an inflamed area on the upper torso and extremities, and sometimes on the face. This condition can easily be mistaken for another dermatological affliction called photoderatoses.
Who Is Affected?
Patients affected by lichenoid keratosis are usually Caucasians between the ages of 30 and 80. This cell carcinoma affects females twice as often as men. Those stricken usually have had frequent periods of unprotected or under-protected sun exposure.
Surgical Removal
Lichenoid ketatosis can be removed surgically through electro or laser surgery. During this procedure, a local anesthetic is used and the carcinoma is removed and sent in for a biopsy to be sure that the cells that have been removed are not cancerous. Lichenoid keratosis is most often benign, with no studies available to prove that these cells can turn cancerous.
Liquid Nitrogen and Curettage
Liquid nitrogen may also be used to remove lichenoid keratosis. During this process, the lesion is frozen with liquid nitrogen and removed by curettage, a surgical scraping with an instrument called a curette. As before, once removed the cells will be sent in for a biopsy to be tested.
Topical Creams
Topical creams and ointments are available by prescription from your doctor. A couple of commonly prescribed creams, namely Tretinoin and Imiquimod, have a corticosteriod as their active ingredient.
