SKIN CONDITIONS
Seborrhoeic keratosis removal
These benign growths can be removed if they irritate you or affect your appearance.
- Often called age warts
- Removal may help spots that itch or catch on clothing
- Doctor assessment confirms the diagnosis
- No referral required
What do seborrhoeic keratoses look like?
Seborrhoeic keratoses can vary significantly in appearance.
Typical features include:
- A raised lesion with a “stuck-on” appearance
- A waxy, crusted or wart-like surface
- Clearly defined borders
- Colours ranging from light tan to dark brown or black
They may appear smooth and waxy or dry and rough. Some lesions become irritated or itchy, particularly if they rub against clothing.
Multiple seborrhoeic keratoses are common, and many people develop dozens of them over time
Spot Check Clinic also assesses and treats a range of other benign skin lesions where suitable, including milia, xanthelasma, syringomas, skin tags and cherry angiomas.
MBBS, MA (Virtual Comm), Grad Cert Hlth Info, Grad Dip Comp Inf Sci
Close-up view of a crusty pigmented seborrhoeic keratosis
Multiple seborrhoeic keratoses on a patient's back
Seborrhoeic keratoses on a man's arm and back
Who gets seborrhoeic keratoses?
Seborrhoeic keratoses become more common with age.
Almost every Australian over the age of 50 has at least one, and many people develop numerous lesions as they get older. Although they are most common in older adults, they can also occur in younger people.
They tend to run in families, suggesting a genetic component.
Seborrhoeic keratoses can occur on most parts of the body, particularly the chest, back, face and shoulders.
How are seborrhoeic keratoses diagnosed?
Seborrhoeic keratoses are benign, but other lesions can look similar. A new or changing spot should be assessed before removal is considered.
Doctors assess the lesion visually and with dermoscopy, a magnified examination that helps identify characteristic skin patterns.
Occasionally a lesion may not show typical features or may resemble another skin condition. In these cases the lesion may be biopsied or removed so that a pathologist can examine the tissue under a microscope.
This ensures that other conditions such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, or squamous cell carcinoma are not missed.
How seborrhoeic keratoses may be removed
Home treatments such as over-the-counter creams and exfoliants are generally ineffective for seborrhoeic keratoses.
Some people choose treatment because the lesions:
- become irritated or itchy
- catch on clothing
- bleed after minor trauma
- are cosmetically noticeable
Treatment options may include:
- Cryotherapy (freezing the lesion)
- Shave removal
- Radiofrequency surgery
- Laser surgery
The most appropriate treatment depends on the size, location and appearance of the lesion.
New seborrhoeic keratoses often develop over time, even after successful treatment.
Why ongoing skin checks still matter
Seborrhoeic keratoses themselves do not cause dangerous medical complications.
However, people with many seborrhoeic keratoses may find it more difficult to notice a new or changing skin cancer among numerous benign spots.
For this reason, regular skin cancer checks are recommended so that new or suspicious lesions can be identified early.
Related conditions
Some skin lesions may resemble seborrhoeic keratoses or occur in similar areas of the skin.
A clinical assessment is the best way to distinguish between these conditions.
Treatment options for seborrhoeic keratoses
Assess and remove seborrhoeic keratoses
Discuss a seborrhoeic keratosis that is irritated or bothers you with one of our doctors. No referral is needed.
Book a skin condition assessment