Seborrheic keratosis (seb-o-REE-ik ker-uh-TOE-sis) is one of the most common types of noncancerous skin growths in older adults.
A seborrheic keratosis (SK) usually appears as a brown, black or pale growth on the face, chest, shoulders or back. The growth has a waxy, scaly, slightly elevated appearance. Occasionally, it appears singly, but multiple growths are more common. Seborrheic keratoses don’t become cancerous, but they can look like skin cancer.
Seborrheic keratoses are normally painless and require no treatment. You may decide, however, to have them removed if they become irritated by clothing or for cosmetic reasons. SKs may be removed with surgery or freezing (cryotherapy). Typically, removal of the growths is not considered medically necessary, and therefore most insurance plans will not cover the cost of the procedure. Please contact our office for more information on cosmetic versus medical removal of seborrheic keratoses.
