9 Tested Actinic Keratosis Natural Treatments

What is Actinic Keratosis?

We love the way the sunshine feels on our skin, infusing us with vitamin D and a warm, healthy glow.

However, there is always too much of a good thing—too much exposure to the sun can be hazardous to our health and wreak havoc on our skin. Actinic keratosis is an example of this and crops up as scaly rough patches that are the result of exposure to the sun.

Although it takes years of exposure, it is not something to take lightly. You may first notice these patches on the back of your hands, forearms, neck, ears, lips, ears, or scalp.

These patches may at first appear to be small but may enlarge over time. These patches typically appear on the skin of older adults, so if you’re younger or older and reading this take note—these patches may develop into skin cancer, however, they are preventable by limiting your sun exposure or taking steps to protect your skin from UV rays.

Symptoms of Actinic keratosis

First of all, if you notice any irregular marks and spots on your body, you should always get them checked out by a doctor right away, as they will be able to determine the difference between cancerous and noncancerous spots.

This is especially true if a mark changes shape or color, or bleeds. If you suspect you may have actinic keratosis, some symptoms may include:

•  A scaly or rough patch of skin, on the smaller side, usually smaller than one inch
•  This patch may be flat or slightly raised; a wart-like bump may appear
•  Patches that are flesh-colored, pink, red, or brown in color
•  Burning or itching of the affected area

Causes of Actinic keratosis

The long and short of it is that actinic keratosis is the result of constantly exposing your skin to UV rays.

This exposure may either be from sunlight itself or from tanning beds. People most at risk for developing actinic keratosis are:

• Typically over the age of 40
• Live in a sunny/warmer climate
• Are known to develop intense sunburns
• Constantly exposes skin to the sun
• People with pale skin, freckles, light-colored eyes (blue or lighter), and blonde or red hair
• Have previously had actinic keratosis or skin cancer
• People with compromised immune systems (typically from organ transplant medications, chemotherapy, leukemia, or autoimmune disorders such as AIDS)

Actinic Keratosis Treatments

These spots scaly rough patches are troublesome, however, if treated early, you can get rid of them before they develop into a more serious problem. First of all, as mentioned above, always get all suspicious spots checked out by a doctor.

Once your doctor has confirmed your actinic keratosis diagnosis, you can take steps to help remove the spots.

Along with whatever treatment your doctor prescribes, there are some home remedies you can try to help get rid of the cosmetic aspect of the spots: the rough, scaly, discolored patches of skin.

Below are some natural treatments you can try to get rid of actinic keratosis.

Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

This treatment takes diligence, but over time, you should notice results. Regularly applying organic virgin coconut oil to your actinic keratosis spots will eventually remove spots from your face, forehead, nose, scalp, and neck.

Initially, spots may turn red and burn a little, however, within a month; you should notice a softening of the skin as the spots start to vanish.

Apply this treatment directly to the affected area once a day, every day until you notice the spot is gone.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar, the magic cure-all. This all-star vinegar cures many ailments, especially of this skin. There is currently no published research to confirm its effects on Actinic Keratosis but it is among the most popular home remedies used by people suffering from the condition.

Many swear by its effects but others have admittedly found it ineffective. By dabbing a small amount of apple cider vinegar directly onto the affected area, you should hopefully be able to resolve your actinic keratosis within time. 

Simply soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and place directly onto the affected spot and then cover with an airtight, waterproof bandage. Wear this bandage overnight and remove when you wake up.

During treatment, the bump or area may appear white at first, but over time, the acidic content of the apple cider vinegar will help to remove the bump within three weeks.

Green Tea

This herbal remedy is great for your health all around, whether you drink it or apply it topically. The astringent properties of green tea make it a great treatment for a host of skin disorders, particularly, actinic keratosis and even skin cancer as the result of constant exposure to UV rays.

After experiencing sunburn, place a green tea bag (that has been soaked in warm water) directly to the affected area of skin to prevent further damage.

You may also consume green tea or take it in the form of a capsule, which can be purchased from any health food store.

Consuming green tea is generally safe, but be sure not to drink more than 5 cups a day, which may cause headaches, diarrhea, and irritability in some people.

If applying a tea bag on your sunburn causes further irritation of the skin, consult your doctor.

Milk Thistle

Studies have found that milk thistle may help protect your skin from cancer resulting from UV ray exposure. Although the jury is still out on whether or not this herbal remedy protects your skin from the development of actinic keratosis, it does help protect you from dangerous free radicals that may cause damage to your skin.

Milk thistle can be taken in the form or powder, liquid extract, or capsules.

To determine the proper dosage, consult with your doctor. Some people may experience sensitivity or stomach upset as a result of this treatment.

Actinic Keratosis and Diet

Maintaining a healthy diet is key, to not only keep your body in working order but to prevent such conditions as actinic keratosis and skin cancer as well. Make sure to get at least 5 serving of fruits and veggies every day, especially citrus fruits and broccoli, which are rich in vitamin C, selenium, and antioxidants like beta-carotene.

This will ensure the health of your cells and skin. To boost your immune system, get your daily dose of sea vegetables, whole grains, and beans.

Foods that are known to have immune boosting, anti-cancer properties are garlic, cabbage, tomatoes, onion, olive oil, grapes, white fish, cabbage, hot peppers, and green tea.

Finally, foods rich in omega-3s and fatty acids are beneficial to the health of your skin, especially when it comes to preventing melanoma. Consuming olive oil, fish oil, butter, and fish cooked in olive oil twice a week will help give you an added layer of protection.

Avoid red meat, processed foods, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners, which are known, cancer-causing agents.

Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day will not only keep you hydrated and feeling great, but it will also help flush out harmful toxins. Regularly staying hydrated keeps your body running in tip-top shape and prevents harmful free radicals from doing to damage to your body.

How to Prevent Actinic Keratosis

Prevention is key with most disorders of the skin, especially when it involves preventing the development of actinic keratosis and eventually, skin cancer.

When going out into the sun, always take safety precautions as sufficiently covering up your skin or wearing sunscreen.

Limiting your exposure to sun and avoiding tanning beds are also effective ways of cutting down your chances of developing actinic keratosis.

You should take the following precaution to protect your skin from sun damage :

• Limit the time you spend in the sun : This sounds like common sense but it is extremely important if you want to protect your skin from dangerous conditions. You should aim to limit your time in the sun especially when the sun is at its height between 11 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. While many people crave a tan, you should be sensible and not stay in the sun so long that you end up with a sunburn or suntan. Tanning and burning the skin can both cause skin damage bad enough that you risk developing keratoses increasing your risk of skin cancer. Even sun exposure over time can result in actinic keratoses so be careful especially if you live in a country or area with a lot of sun.
• Apply Strong sunscreen : Using sunscreen whenever you go outside can greatly reduce your risk of developing solar keratoses. Make sure that you use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or more. The American Academy of Dermatology actually recommends a water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30. Apply your sunscreen to all exposed areas of your skin and also apply lip balm to your lips. Reapply the sunscreen every few hours and even more often if you have been swimming or sweat a lot.
• Cover up well : To make sure that you get even greater protection from sun damage, you should try covering up your body with clothing making sure your limbs are well covered. Wear a hat with a broad brim to protect your face, neck, and shoulders more effectively than a baseball cap or a golf visor.
• Avoid the use of tanning beds : While most people are aware of the dangers of sun exposure, many are ignorant of the damage caused by tanning beds. The UV exposure you get from tanning beds actually cause as much damage to your skin as a natural tan you get from the sun. The radiation from tanning beds is absorbed very quickly meaning that photoaging is actually accelerated increasing your risk of developing serious skin conditions like cancer.
• Perform regular skin checks : Examine your body on a regular basis and report any changes you find to your doctor. Look for any skin growths and pay attention to any changes in existing growths, freckles, moles or birthmarks.

Actinic Keratosis and Cancer

Fortunately, in the vast majority of case, actinic keratoses is benign and does not lead to more serious complications. However, the condition does reveal that a person has suffered sun damage which may develop into cancer in the future, in particular squamous cell carcinoma or SCC.

People who suffer from one actinic keratosis might develop more in the future. The more that actinic keratosis remains untreated greater risk of the lesions developing into a squamous skin carcinoma. This is also true as the untreated lesions get older. Some experts actually interpret actinic keratosis as an early form of skin cancer.

Squamous cell carcinoma is a common form of skin cancer, second only to Basel-cell carcinoma. if it is left untreated, it can be invasive and life-threatening. A variant form of actinic keratosis called actinic cheilitis is an aggressive condition that affects the lips and has a high risk of becoming cancerous. An SCC resulting from actinic cheilitis can penetrate the outer layers of the lips causing it to bleed and develop sores. If this happens, the sore can become infected and can even spread tot he internal organs.

Although only around 10% of actinic keratosis turns into cancer, the vast majority of squamous skin carcinomas do begin their life as actinic keratosis. Unfortunately, there is no method of detecting which cases will eventually become carcinomas. For this reason, it is important to treat actinic keratosis seriosuly and get it treated as early as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best treatment for actinic keratosis?

The treatment for actinic keratosis depends on various factors including the patient’s age and general health and the nature and severity of the condition.

Treatment options include :

• Surgical procedures like cryosurgery and laser surgery. In fact, cryotherapy is the most common treatment,.
• Topical treatments : these include 5-fluorouracil, chemical peels, diclofenac and imiquomod.
• Photodynamic therapy.
• Combination therapy.

Can actinic keratosis go away?

Actinic keratosis can disappear of their own accord but may well reappear some time later. Around half of all keratosis go away when people avoid exposure to sunlight for several years. However, because of the risk of complications including squamous skin cancer, actinic keratosis should not be left untreated.

Can actinic keratosis turn into cancer?

the majority of cases, the condition remains benign. However, in around 10% of cases, actinic keratosis can develop into squamous-cell carcinoma.

Is actinic keratosis curable?

There are a number of effective medical treatments for actinic keratosis, These include surgical procedures like cryotherapy and powerful topical treatments. There are also a wide range of natural remedies that can help including essential oils, coconut oil and certain herbal remedies.

Final Thoughts

We hope that one or more of the remedies discussed in this article work for you. Please let us know whether or not they were effective or if you have any other remedies that we could include on our list.