Seborrheic Keratosis Specialist

Knipe Dermatology

Board Certified Dermatologists located in Orlando, FL

Seborrheic keratosis is a common skin growth that develops as you get older. These wart-like growths are harmless, but they can look like cancerous lesions. At Knipe Dermatology in Orlando, Florida, Ronald Knipe, MD, and Samantha Marrone, MD, are experts at diagnosing and treating skin conditions like seborrheic keratosis. To schedule an appointment with the expert dermatologists at Knipe Dermatology, call the office or book an appointment online today.

Seborrheic Keratosis Q & A

What is seborrheic keratosis?

Seborrheic keratosis is a wart-like skin growth that develops as you get older. You can have one or hundreds of these growths.

Researchers are still investigating what causes the appearance of the skin growths, but you may be at greater risk of developing seborrheic keratosis if it runs in your family.

The growths also tend to appear on sun-exposed areas of the skin, which may also play a role in causing the common skin condition. However, seborrheic keratosis can also affect non-sun-exposed skin.

Though the growths may seem to spread rapidly across your skin, seborrheic keratosis isn’t contagious. 

What are the symptoms of seborrheic keratosis?

Seborrheic keratosis typically starts as small growths. Then, over time these bumps thicken and develop a wart-like surface. They vary in color and may be brown, yellow, gray, or black. 

The growths also vary in size but can be as large as a half-dollar. Seborrheic keratosis may affect any part of your body, except the palms of your hands and soles of your feet. However, they most often appear on the face, scalp, chest, stomach, back, or neck. 

The harmless skin growths aren’t painful but may itch. 

How is seborrheic keratosis diagnosed?

The skin experts at Knipe Dermatology diagnose seborrheic keratosis after a visual examination of your skin. However, because the skin growth may look cancerous, your provider may take a biopsy of the growth and send it to the lab to confirm a diagnosis. 

How is seborrheic keratosis treated?

Knipe Dermatology develops individualized treatment plans for seborrheic keratosis based on your personal preferences. Because the skin growths are harmless, you don’t need any special treatment.

However, you may not like the way your seborrheic keratosis affects the look of your skin, or your growths may catch on jewelry or clothing, which may cause irritation. In this case, Knipe Dermatology may remove the skin growths using various techniques, such as:

  • A shave biopsy
  • Cryotherapy (freezing the growths)
  • Electrosurgery and curettage
  • A chemical peel

Once removed, the skin growths don’t come back. However, new growths may appear in other areas. 

To discuss treatment options for seborrheic keratosis, call Knipe Dermatology, or book an appointment online today.