Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Let us begin with the most common benign skin growth we see, the Seborrheic Keratoses, abbreviated
"S.K." Often people become alarmed because these lesions can gradually enlarge, or increase
in number over the years. Here are some tips on how to recognize SK's.
Typically they feel soft and velvety although they can be quite scaly or crusty. They can
range from large, flat, soft velvety thickenings of the skin to small dark bumps.
SK lesions can appear anywhere on the body, from the face to the feet. On the ankles,
they are often whitish bumps called Stucco Keratoses. If you take sections of these growths
and look at them under a microscope, you would see thickening of the outer layers of the
skin. Because these lesions are on the surface of the skin, they can be scratched off easily.
Once again, despite their sometimes scary appearance, SK lesions are always benign,
and cannot lead to skin cancer. They do increase in size and number with age. I affectionately
call them wisdom spots. They do not extend below the skin or cause any harm. Generally
they do not bleed unless accidentally scratched. Since they are not warts, they are not contagious
and cannot to spread to others. On rare occasions, SK's can become very itchy.
Applying an over-the-counter Hydrocortisone cream for a few days may help. If the SK becomes
sore, the surrounding skin becomes red, and the surface develops a black scab or crust,
it may be a sign of an infection. This is called an inflamed SK. If you think you have
an inflamed SK, or if you have been diagnosed with an inflamed SK, there are two possibilities
for treatment. SK's that are inflamed at the time of an office
visit can be removed either with freezing or with a scalpel under local anesthesia.
If you have an infection, an antibiotic will also be prescribed. The removal and treatment
of inflamed SK's is considered a benefit that is covered Kaiser Permanente Health Plan.
SK's that are not inflamed, are not bleeding, or do not have pieces of dead tissue present
at the time of an office visit are considered a normal part of aging. Their removal would
not be covered as a Kaiser Permanente Health Plan benefit. If you have a SK that is not
inflamed, but would like to have it removed for cosmetic reasons, please contact your
nearest Kaiser Permanente Dermatology Cosmetic Clinic.
For more information, please visit the website, www.kpcosmeticservices.com. Treatment for
non-covered conditions like this, is provide by the Dermatology Cosmetic Clinic, on a fee-for-service
basis, which means you are responsible for all cost of treatment and care.