Seborrheic Keratosis (Senile Warts)

Seborrheic keratoses are completely harmless, non-cancerous skin growths that become very common as we age. They are often called "barnacles of aging."

Appearance

They often look like they have been stuck or pasted onto the skin. They can be light tan to black and have a warty, waxy, or scaly surface. They can appear anywhere on the body except the palms and soles.

Are they dangerous?

No. They never turn into skin cancer. However, because they can be dark and irregular, they are frequently confused with melanoma by patients. If a growth is rapidly changing, bleeding, or if you are unsure, always have a doctor confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Because they are benign, medical treatment is not required. However, they can be removed if they are:

• Itchy or irritated by clothing rubbing against them.
• Cosmetically bothersome.

Removal methods include cryotherapy (freezing) or curettage (scraping off under local anesthetic).