Seborrheic Keratosis: What Are These Common Skin Growths?

Have you noticed a rough, raised, or brown growth on your skin and wondered what it is? You may be looking at a seborrheic keratosis. While these growths can look concerning, especially when they’re dark or appear to develop suddenly, they’re usually harmless.

At Shady Grove Dermatology, our team helps patients in and around Rockville, Maryland, identify and treat a wide range of skin conditions and growths. If you notice a new or changing spot on your skin, a professional evaluation can help determine what it is and whether treatment is necessary.

Read on to learn more about seborrheic keratoses and what you should know about these common skin growths.

Understanding seborrheic keratoses

A seborrheic keratosis is a noncancerous skin growth that commonly develops during middle age and later in life. Some people develop only one, while others may have several growths appear over time.

Seborrheic keratoses can vary significantly in appearance. They may be tan, brown, or nearly black and can range from flat spots to thicker growths with a rough, waxy, or wart-like surface. Many have a distinctive stuck-on appearance, making them look as though they’re sitting on top of the skin.

These growths can develop almost anywhere on the body but are especially common on the chest, back, neck, head, and face. They aren’t contagious and don’t spread from person to person.

What causes seborrheic keratoses?

The exact cause of seborrheic keratoses isn’t fully understood, but age and genetics appear to play key roles in their development.

Most people begin developing these growths during middle age or later, and the number of seborrheic keratoses often increases with age. If other members of your family have them, you may also be more likely to develop them.

Although researchers have explored a possible connection between sun exposure and seborrheic keratoses, the exact relationship remains unclear. What is known is that these growths aren’t the result of an infection and aren’t contagious.

When should you have a skin growth checked?

Seborrheic keratoses are usually harmless, but they can sometimes look similar to skin cancer or other types of skin growths. Because of this, it’s important to have an unfamiliar or changing growth evaluated rather than trying to identify it yourself.

Schedule an appointment with a dermatologist if a growth:

• Grows quickly
• Changes noticeably in color, shape, or texture
• Becomes unusually dark
• Bleeds or becomes persistently irritated
• Looks significantly different from your other growths

These changes don’t necessarily mean that a growth is cancerous, but they’re reasons to have it professionally evaluated. At Shady Grove Dermatology, we can examine the area and, if necessary, remove the growth for further evaluation.

Do seborrheic keratoses need treatment?

Most seborrheic keratoses don’t require treatment because they’re benign. But removal may be appropriate if a growth becomes irritated by clothing or jewelry, catches while shaving, or causes itching or discomfort.

Some people also choose to have seborrheic keratoses removed for cosmetic reasons. We can evaluate your growth and discuss appropriate treatment options based on its size, location, and appearance.

Depending on the growth, removal may involve cryotherapy, curettage, or electrosurgery. We can recommend the approach that best fits your needs.

Take the first step toward healthier skin

Seborrheic keratoses are common and usually nothing to worry about, but it isn’t always possible to identify a skin growth just by looking at it. If you’ve noticed a new, changing, or bothersome growth, a professional evaluation can provide peace of mind and ensure you receive the appropriate care.

At Shady Grove Dermatology, we provide personalized dermatologic care for patients in Rockville, Maryland. If you’re concerned about a skin growth or would like to discuss seborrheic keratosis removal, contact us today to schedule an appointment.