Treatment
Various modalities are employed in the treatment of actinic keratosis:
- Ingenol mebutate 0.05% and 0.015% gel for treatment of the trunk and extremities or the face and scalp, respectively. Duration of therapy is 2 days for the 0.05% gel and 3 days for the 0.015% gel
- Diclofenac sodium 3% gel, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Recommended duration of therapy is 60 to 90 days
- Cryosurgery, e.g. with liquid nitrogen, by "freezing off" the actinic keratosis
- 5-fluorouracil (a chemotherapy agent): a cream that contains this medication causes actinic keratosis to become red and inflamed before they fall off
- Photodynamic therapy: this new therapy involves injecting a chemical into the bloodstream, which makes the lesions more sensitive to any form of light.
- Laser, notably CO2 and Er:YAG lasers, a Laser resurfacing technique is often used with diffuse actinic keratosis
- Electrocautery: burning off actinic keratosis with electricity
- Imiquimod (Aldara), an immune enhancing agent for topical treatment
- Different forms of surgery
Regular follow-up after the treatment is advised by many physicians. The regular checks are to make sure no new lesions have developed and that old ones haven't become thicker.
Read more about this topic: Actinic Keratosis
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