They look like they have been glued or stuck onto the skin. Over 80 million people in the United States have seborrheic keratoses. Also known as senile warts, seborrheic keratoses are very common in aging skin, developing typically on the trunk, head and neck, and in skin creases. The seborrheic keratosis was just as much stuck to my skin as it was before the cryotherapy. Seborrheic keratosis is very common in middle age and during pregnancy. Seborrheic keratosis lesions are rarely painful but can be annoying, depending on their position. The crust will fall off. By Heather L. Brannon, MD Men and women are affected equally. Ablative surgery removes the top layer of skin and heats the underlying layer to stimulate the growth of new collagen fibers. These growths may appear as bumps, scales, or patches of rough, crusty skin . Cryotherapy is the easier to perform and fast treatment, that can be used to safely remove multiple SKs at a same time. Its . While others may want to treat seborrheic keratosis in the comforts of their homes by taking a lot of vitamins and supplements, using hydrogen peroxide, glycolic acid, applying natural herbal creams and many more. Minor adverse effects may occur, such as scaling, inflammation, and changes in skin color. This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. Start off as small, round bumps that thicken and develop a waxy or wart-like appearance (although in some cases, the surface is smooth), Develop anywhere on the skin (e.g., chest, back, face, and neck), but not on the palms and soles, Range in size from a pinpoint to over an inch in diameter, Light tan to dark brown but may also be white, black, yellow, or grey, Bleeding on or around seborrheic keratoses, Chronic friction (such as inside skin folds). They typically begin appearing after age 40 and can grow anywhere on the body. The most frequently mutated genes in seborrheic keratoses are FGFR3 (fibroblast growth factor receptor 3) (found in 71% or sporadic seborrheic keratosis) and the p110 catalytic subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) (found in 50% of sporadic seborrheic keratoses).11 SKs have a higher proliferative rate than normal keratinocytes, apoptosis is suppressed in SKs compared with healthy skin. Seborrheic keratoses usually appear alone, but . Although they can affect teenagers or young adults, the growths are most common among adults aged 50 and older. Seborrheic Keratosis - Will It Disappear By Itself? By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Of course, I did not try to pull at it. Free to everyone, these materials teach young people about common skin conditions, which can prevent misunderstanding and bullying. Seborrheic keratosis is a common skin growth that people usually develop after their 30's. What you may have noticed is that they start out flat and over the course of time they tend to have a raised appearance and look like a wart. Seborrheic keratoses tend to appear from middle age onwards. Id say that more than 90 percent of it was already completely detached from my skin, and just a tiny tiny portion of it was still connected. Regressing SK may show a lichenoid pattern similar to that of lichen planus like keratosis (LPLK). Sometimes a blister forms under the seborrheic keratosis and dries into a scab-like crust. They are not contagious. (C) RCM imaging at the level of the supra basal layer, enlarged inter papillary spaces are visible, with horn pseudocysts (white arrows) corresponding to milia-like cysts. The spinous-granular layer shows a regular appearance, either with a honeycombed or cobblestone pattern, depending on the degree of pigmentation. In most cases of seborrheic keratosis, no further treatment is necessary. (B) Close up showing a small dark brown, partially keratotic macule. Seborrhoeic keratosis (American spelling - seborrheic keratosis) is also called SK, basal cell papilloma, senile wart, brown wart, wisdom wart, or barnacle. The presence of comedo-like openings and milia-like cysts together with sharp lesion demarcation were reportedly helpful to diagnose clonal type SK; however, doubtful cases should be examined by RCM or histology.29. Ahlgrimm-Siess V, Cao T, Oliviero M, et al. Some people need only electrocautery, some need curettage, and others need both. The main limitation of dermoscopy is the evaluation of regressing lesions, in RCM one limit could be a high degree of hyperkeratosis of the lesions hampering the visualization of the DEJ. Sometimes it is permanent. The limit in depth penetration is 250300 micron, the image acquisition is in a horizontal plan of view and in a scale of grey color.33 Under RCM, SK has been described with its correlates with histology and dermoscopy. They most often develop in people over age 40. (A) RCM at the level of the spinous layer showing bright dendritic cells. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted A seborrheic keratosis is a growth on the skin. 8600 Rockville Pike March 18, 2022 Electrosurgery and curettage: Electrosurgery (electrocautery) involves numbing the growth with an anesthetic and using an electric current to destroy the growth. This site may contain third-party advertisements and links to third-party sites. Seborrheic Keratosis Removal With Hydrogen Peroxide, Home Remedy For Removing Seborrheic Keratosis, Herbal Treatment For Seborrheic Keratosis. Some people develop just a single growth, while others have clusters of them. They can also resemble melanoma, though a biopsy will distinguish between the two. They have less epidermal thickening, and horn pseudocysts usually are less prominent in reticulated seborrheic keratoses. These findings are often present in benign lesions as verrucous dermal nevi, but are described even in melanoma, especially when folliculotropism is present. A closer look at seborrheic keratoses: Patient perspectives, clinical relevance, medical necessity, and implications for management. From a medical standpoint, seborrheic keratoses are meaningless. Natural Remedies for Seborrheic Keratosis Removal at Home - Earth Clinic Melanoma mimicking an SK with regression. In that case, the person may need treatment for non-skin cancer, such as lymphoma or cancer of the gastrointestinal tract. Here are some answers to questions people often ask about seborrheic keratoses. But what about if a portion of the moles perimeter begins peeling away or lifting off from the skin that it was attached to? How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, http://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(15)00239-0/fulltext, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5367878/, https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/seborrheic-keratosis, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545285/, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/209305s000lbl.pdf, https://dermnetnz.org/topics/seborrhoeic-keratosis, http://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/q---t/sebhorrheic-keratoses, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557474/, https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/warts-overview, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6719672/, Gut microbiome appears to fluctuate throughout the day and across seasons, One-hour endoscopic procedure could eliminate the need for insulin for type 2 diabetes, New clues to slow aging? seborrheic keratosis solely for cosmetic reasons, your insurance company may not cover it. Typically, that means that the mole may have been inadvertently rubbed or irritated to the point where it has separated at the junction of the epidermis and the edge of the mole, begins Nita Patel, MD, Medical Director of Advance Dermatology and Laser Medical Center in Marina Del Rey, CA. The full terms of this license are available at, milia-like cysts: roundish white-yellow clods of variable size; they correspond to intraepidermal horn cysts (, comedo-like openings: well-circumscribed oval or rounded black to brown clods that correspond to keratin aggregates located in the dilated follicular openings (, fissures and ridges: thick, curved, occasionally branched lines whose colors vary from hypopigmented to brown, black and blue. Life Skills App Helps Autistic College Students Thrive, The Autistic Competitive Edge in the Workplace, Autism Knows No Limits for These Mountain Hiking Twins. The limitations of dermoscopy: false-positive and false-negative tumours. Seborrheic keratosis-like BCC exhibited hairpin vessels, white-pink areas as well as multiple blue-grey dots and granularity that may be present in regressive SK (lichenoid keratosis, see later).28 SK mimicking basal cell carcinoma may present ulcer, blue-gray globules, and leaf-like areas. From a histologic point of view, an SK is composed of a proliferation of basaloid keratinocytes with a papillomatous architecture on a flat base, and in its classical form it shows broad adjoining columns of hyperplastic epidermis (acanthotic type). What if a mole, however, begins coming away from the skin? Rinse well and towel off. 2017;76(6):1146-1150. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2016.12.002, Cimpean I, Theate I, Vanhooteghem O. Seborrheic keratosis evolution into squamous cell carcinoma: a truly modified sun-related tumor? FOIA In: Elder DE, Massi D, Scolyer RA, Willemze R, editors. (A) Clinical close up of a brownish pigmented papule with a crusty surface. A seborrheic keratosis is a benign skin barnacle. Dermatologists care for people of all ages. appear on a person's chest, arms, back, or other areas. . Fortunately, these skin growths are harmless. The vessels are often surrounded by a white halo, this is a typical finding in such keratinocytic neoplasms as SK. Jackson JM, Alexis A, Berman B, Berson DS, Taylor S, Weiss JS. Although exceedingly rare, this may signal whats known as the Leser-Trlat sign, which indicates that a person might have gastrointestinal cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma, or leukemia. Everything else about it looked the same as it had the day of treatment. Seborrheic keratosis growths can appear anywhere on your body, but they most commonly arise on sun-exposed areas of your skin, such as the face, head, neck, chest, back, arms, or legs. Doctors arent sure what causes seborrheic keratosis, but there is very likely a genetic componentcertain genetic mutations have been linked to the condition. Actinic keratosis (AK) is a scaly and rough patch of skin caused by years of sun damage. Papageorgiou C, Spyridis I, Manoli SM, et al. . People sometimes find them bothersome because: Of their appearance A case report and review of the literature, Seborrheic keratoses: who gets and causes, A closer look at seborrheic keratoses: patient perspectives, clinical relevance, medical necessity, and implications for management, Seborrheic keratoses - the most common benign skin tumor of humans. They can be removed through several ways. It's important to not make assumptions about any new spots, patches, or growths that develop on your skin. This comprehensive limitation of liability applies to any kind of damage including (without limitation) compensatory, direct, indirect or consequential, loss of data, income or profit, loss of or damage to property and claims of third parties. Twenty-six days later, the lesion was still seemingly very stuck to my skin. They're scaly, bumpy growths that are darker than the rest of your skin. Growth: Lesions usually start as small, rough bumps and gradually get thicker and develop a warty surface. Heres how long botox tends to last. Everyone's at risk for skin cancer. Seborrheic keratoses develop in a type of skin cell called a keratinocyte on the outermost layer of skin (epidermis). Researchers are currently looking into options for topical applications to remove seborrheic keratoses. Freezing Seborrheic Keratosis: How Long Before It Falls Off? Color changes including becoming grey, red or black, Increase in size, especially accompanied by increasing asymmetry, Increase in height or becoming elevated, Previously normal looking mole is now ugly or much darker, MOLES AND MELANOMA Natalie tried many acne products without success. (A) Clinically the lesion is a large plaque with a partially keratotic surface, well-demarcated borders and color variegation from light brown to dark brown. To be sincere, the sight of this skin growth on the face is nasty and could cause anyone to feel very unattractive. List of Dermoscopic and RCM Features of the Main SK Subtype. Sensation: Not painful but may itch or become irritated. Sometimes, a seborrheic keratosis can look like a skin cancer. Scary Symptoms assumes no responsibility for ad content, promises made, or the quality or reliability of the goods or services offered in any advertisement. It's important to receive care from a health professional and not try to treat them yourself. Seborrheic keratoses are exceedingly common in the elderly and usually are easy to diagnose and do not require treatment. These growths can vary in appearance but typically: Because only the top skin layer is involved, seborrheic keratosis often has a "pasted-on" appearance, similar to a barnacle. It is a very common skin condition. The aim of this review is to encompass all the diagnostic clues that may help the clinician recognize and manage SK, especially through dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy in elderly patients. k:,;jz3]knX0({|0*R2O>>tQksKayV k8^,_hYn,8P3R9D"8b.P&eI|iaIIF1 ^%DQ{RC0TT=Dk)+DcF4N%U!,>w|sx6e ;p~c{lXwG!,r8/Ur'$q^`=p*oOYT'^EaZ(?CEM2C ELO4j/L`_$aOn^52w:a<2)s0\OIm]T{7H vG=-+$NWB;GWi}~^U(wDg]Ap"h-2[,X|+Cj%Kd6?Lfr[ILMF=3oc"J[i/aOq;2>ATE&v4d2cu$p~!~ j ~G`Tv6b~%Q27`c4/*SE1|>=w$9K.Y&1BXCPGBUlv9e H{~mecPw\vSUl{M i(*@u ^l'C^7B9 pgj:hmhE9"|~7hJ~7hi/UHIfw^|&PFPGSqmg8@$\u7JF\ V p;y5b}}FuGn*N Early recognition and treatment, if needed, can provide patients with an optimal health outcome.. The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work. Can Normal Mole Hurt if Irritated? A new treatment for seborrheic keratoses, Eskata, takes advantage of this feature for removal of these lesions. They may be yellow, brown, tan, or skin-colored. Wood LD, Stucki JK, Hollenbeak CS, Miller JJ. In this case, it is known as Leser-Trelat sign. These growths are a noncancerous (benign) type of skin tumor. While SK is not harmful or painful, it can be unsightly and cause embarrassment. How long does seborrheic keratosis take to fall off? Seborrheic keratosis: Symptoms, treatment, and causes - Medical News Today Harmless But Annoying: Sebhorrheic Keratosis | Premier Health A scoop-shaped surgical instrument, a curette, is used to scrape off the treated growth. Is it possible for seborrheic keratosis to grow larger? How to Check if Your Moles Are Getting Bigger. What are the symptoms of seborrheic keratosis? Differential diagnosis of seborrheic keratosis: clinical and dermoscopic features. Seborrheic keratosis (SK) is a common, benign skin growth that typically appears on the face, chest, back, or shoulders of individuals over 50. Scary Symptoms assumes no responsibility for ad content, promises made, or the quality or reliability of the goods or services offered in any advertisement. Keratin-filled surface invaginations or corneal plugs seen in RCM correspond to comedo-like openings in dermoscopy. There are many treatment options for seborrheic keratosis, including: Freezing - using liquid nitrogen to perform cryotherapy, we can freeze the growths and they will fall off in a few days. Those Seborrheic keratosis is one of the most common skin conditions around today. Doctors will shave or scrape off skin cells from the growth and send them to a lab for analysis.). These growths are harmless, but you may want to have them removed for aesthetic reasons or because they are a source of irritation. They're very common in people older than age 50, but younger adults can get them as well. However, cosmetically, they can be concerning to some people. J Dermatolog Treat. Moreover, elongated bright tubular structures with bulbous projections can be seen at this level, they correlate with fingerprinting in dermoscopy. The site is secure. Dermatoscopic findings of seborrheic keratosis in Melanoma, Not all lesions with a verrucous surface are seborrheickeratoses, Prevalence of melanoma clinically resembling seborrheic keratosis: analysis of 9204 cases, Dermoscopic clues for diagnosing melanomas that resemble seborrheic keratosis, Occult basal cell carcinoma arising in seborrheic keratosis, Seborrheic keratosis mimicking basal cell carcinoma under dermoscopy: a case report. Have a slightly raised, flat surface. Dermatology, Pediatric Dermatology, Dermatologic Surgery, Dermatology, Medical Oncology, Melanoma and Onco-Dermatology, A common type of noncancerous skin tumor that resembles a wart, Symptoms include a raised, oval or round spot on the skin that may bleed or be itchy, Treatment includes cryotherapy, electrosurgery, curettage, laser treatment, dermabrasion. A doctor shaves off the lesion with a scalpel without touching the layers beneath the skins surface. For this reason, anyone who notices new lesions or skin changes should see a doctor. The authors conclude that this could be due to the limit in depth penetration of RCM35 (Table 1). OgAVnl&.EX4mmJh_a.MNZNmH6xV&J4(PD4}Vv-Q(q8RtGvV7Y${[8\Az$;{MMU[br4iz(r H$#g Ag~g6 fx\("wz%_vO^2^JqI/-'s wy2 The day prior the whole thing seemed to still be solidly attached, minus the one area where it had seemed to be slightly disengaged. Dermatosis papulosa nigra appears as multiple small, dark pigmented papules or bumps. Can You Scratch or Pick Off A Seborrheic Keratosis? - eMedicineHealth It can occur also at any age. Another situation that may appear as part or half of a mole tearing off and then some bleeding, is that of the skin tag. Seborrheic keratoses are the most common neoplasms in elderly persons and affect up to 60% of this population. Seborrheic Keratoses 9/28/2017 Revised Pioneer Valley Dermatology 29B Cottage Street, Amherst, MA 01002 Ph (413) 549-7400 Fax (413) 549-7402 www.pioneervalleyderm.com Overview: Seborrheic keratoses are the most common benign (noncancerous) growths. Melanoacanthoma: a potential pitfall of reflectance confocal microscopy. The melanoacanthoma type is a histologic variant characterized by a high degree of pigmentation, in which an acanthotic variant of SK is associated with the proliferation of large dendritic melanocytes (Figure 7). Seborrhoeic keratosis is a harmless warty spot that appears during adult life as a common sign of skin ageing. The cause is damage to the DNA of cells in the epidermis, the top layer of the skin. The vascular pattern of SK is made by looped and dilated vessels.33. 1 Ultraviolet radiation exposure is considered the most important etiologic factor; other possible causes under investigation . Clinical presentation and an update on pathogenesis and treatment options. Many kids and older ones are having Seborrheic keratosis is one of the most common skin conditions on earth today. Pigmented seborrheic keratosis showing starburst pattern. The growths can have a variety of appearances but are somewhat flat and scaly with a rough texture, and may look like something artificially stuck on the skin. Inclusion in an NLM database does not imply endorsement of, or agreement with, Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Wollina U. Seborrheic keratoses - the most common benign skin tumor of humans. A seborrheic keratosis can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from skin cancer, especially when it first appears. (A) Clinical view of the back of a 78-year-old man with multiple SKs, cherry angiomas and nevi. Or Does Hurting Mean Cancer? During a discussion of your medical history, tell your doctor if seborrheic keratosis runs in your family, if youve spent a considerable amount of time in the sun, and if you are pregnant or taking hormone therapy. In most cases, a dermatologist can tell if your skin growth is a seborrheic keratosis by looking at it. Seborrheic Keratosis > Fact Sheets > Yale Medicine Can Seborrheic Keratosis Turn into Skin Cancer? Seborrhoeic keratoses (brown warts, basal cell papillomas, seborrheic This comprehensive limitation of liability applies to any kind of damage including (without limitation) compensatory, direct, indirect or consequential, loss of data, income or profit, loss of or damage to property and claims of third parties. Two days later four weeks out from the cryosurgery I noticed before washing my face that the thing was just hanging by a thread, sticking out sideways, ready to drop off. Half of Mole Suddenly Falls Off, Bleeds Scary Symptoms Because of the high degree of keratin on the lesion surface, the dermal epidermal junction is barely visible. Effectiveness of cryosurgery vs curettage in the treatment of seborrheic keratoses, Effectiveness of erbium: YAGlaser and cryosurgery in seborrheic keratoses: randomized, prospective intraindividual comparison study, Erbium-YAG laser therapy analysis of more than 1200 treatments, Management of seborrhoeic keratosis and actinic keratosis with an erbium: YAGlaser-experience with 547 patients, Dermatosis papulosa nigra and 10,600-nm CO 2 laser, a good choice, Treatment of seborrheic keratosis in bilateral external auditory canal using fiber CO2 laser. Symptoms. Can melanoma ever behave this way? Accurate and updated information about SK epidemiology are missing; however, it is well known that the prevalence of SK increases with increasing age. (2017). If they find cancer cells, you'll need additional testing to determine the stage of the cancer, which will guide treatment. If the doctor suspects melanoma or is unsure, they may recommend a biopsy for examination under a microscope. Use these professionally produced online infographics, posters, and videos to help others find and prevent skin cancer. In-depth explanations you wont find on other sites. Porto ACS, Blumetti TP, Macedo MP, Braga JCT. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help Can a Changing Mole Be Benign or Is It Always Melanoma? February 10, 2022 Seborrheic keratosis (SK) is a benign intraepidermal neoplasm arising from epidermal keratinocytes. After removal of a seborrheic keratosis, the skin may be lighter than the surrounding skin. Find out what may be causing the itch and what can bring relief. Despite the verrucous appearance, most of the melanomas in the series by Carrera et al23 showed at least one melanoma-specific criterion, the more frequent being blue-black sign, pigment network, pseudopods or streaks, and/or blue-white veil (Figures 911). (B) In dermoscopy a brain-like appearance is visible. They can scare people into thinking theyre melanoma, especially since they can be dark or with more than one color, uneven in border and suddenly begin changing in appearance. Seborrheic keratosis usually does not return after it is removed, but there are some people who are prone to this condition and may likely develop more growths in the future. It had been around for long now and there is rarely Seborrheic keratosis can come up on any part of the body. Dermoscopy of pigmented seborrheic keratosis: a morphological study. SK mimicking melanoma. 2015;26(5):477-80. doi:10.3109/09546634.2015.1024597, Bedir R, Yurdakul C, Gucer H, Sehitoglu I. Basal cell carcinoma arising within seborrheic keratosis. Over time, the growths become rough and crusty looking. Prevalence of solar damage and actinic keratosis in a Merseyside population. Heres what you need to know. Appointments 216.444.5725. 2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK. They have a waxy, scaly, slightly elevated appearance. They can be removed through several ways. Edge of Longstanding Mole Is Coming Away from Skin: Melanoma? But a new one may occur elsewhere. In most cases, seborrheic keratoses do not need treatment, but a person may opt to remove them if they snag on clothing or feel unsightly. 2014;53(11):1346-50. doi:10.1111/ijd.12086. Within hours, its caramel color turned dark (below). About 80 million Americans have one or more of these non-cancerous growths on their skin. The prevalence of seborrhoeic keratoses in an Australian population: does exposure to sunlight play a part in their frequency? The lesion seemly came off all at once, save for that teensy part of it. Some call seborrheic keratosis growths "the barnacles of aging," as they're most common after age 50. Most removed seborrheic keratoses do not return. And unfortunately, sometimes a melanoma can pass for a seborrheic keratosis. The lesson learned here is just because a freezing chemical spray can cause a skin lesion to fall off, doesnt mean that there should necessarily be any dramatic changes in appearance (as there often is with actinic keratoses). In a survey among 594 board certified dermatologists from the US, participants declared to treat SKs with cryosurgery as a preferred method.38 Patients satisfaction has been evaluated in a small study in which curettage was also employed, with patients preferring cryotherapy over this other method.39. Effectiveness of erbium: YAG laser and cryosurgery in seborrheic keratoses: Randomized, prospective intraindividual comparison study. At first, the lotion may sting or tingle a little, but . Conic RZ, Napekoski K, Schuetz H, Piliang M, Bergfeld W, Atanaskova Mesinkovska N. The role of immunosuppression in squamous cell carcinomas arising in seborrheic keratosis. Steiner A, Konrad K, Pehamberger H, et al. It is painless and can easily scrape off without much difficulty as the growth is not deeply rooted to the skin. Moles are usually brown, and round or oval with a smooth edge. MOLES AND MELANOMA Because skin barnacles can sometimes look suspicious, your dermatologist may want to perform a biopsy to make sure the lesion is not cancerous. Consult your physician before beginning any exercise or therapy program. Skin barnacles don't usually need to be treated, but some people have them removed for aesthetic purposes or because they can become irritated or get caught on clothes and jewelry. Seborrheic Keratoses Guide: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options (B) Histology showing an irregular and asymmetrical junctional proliferation of melanocytes, characterized by consumption of thinned epidermis and a dense dermal lymphocytic infiltration. At the level of the dermal epidermal junction (DEJ), a ringed pattern can be usually observed, often with enlarged inter papillary spaces. Seborrheic keratoses can be skin-colored, tan, brown, yellow, gray, or very dark brown that may appear black. Among medical treatments, hydrogen peroxide 40% (HP40) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for topical treatment of SK in December 2017. (D) Histology showing acanthosis of epidermis and epidermal invaginations filled with keratin (hematoxylin and eosin stain, original magnification 100x). Seborrheic Keratosis: Causes, Treatment, and More - Healthline 2017;16(9):835-42. They usually appear as tan, brown, yellow, gray, or very dark brown warty growths stuck onto the back, shoulders, chest, or face. Even if SKs are very common in the elderly and constitute a common reason for consultation in the daily practice, they may be at times challenging. Several laser treatments can be employed. A case report and review of the literature. Wart on Scalp: Causes, Side Effects, Risks, and Treatment - Healthline The lesion freezes and falls off in a few days. Please note that if you want to get rid ofseborrheic keratosis solely for cosmetic reasons, your insurance company may not cover it. On the face, however, they will use a lower current and will not numb the area. The seborrheic keratosis tends to fall off within days. What are the risk factors for seborrheic keratosis? Seborrheic keratoses are benign (noncancerous) skin growths that develop from skin cells called keratinocytes. The appearance of seborrheic keratoses can vary widely. On the other hand, SKs may mimic malignant tumors, especially those hyper pigmented, reticular and irritated (Figure 12). Be proactive and see a dermatologist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. After the removal of a seborrheic keratosis, the skin may be lighter than the surrounding skin. This destroys the growth. "Seborrheic" refers to the "sebaceous" glands while "derm" means "skin.".