User:Mr. Ibrahem/Age spot
| Age spot | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Liver spot, solar lentigo,[1] lentigo senilis,[1]: 686 old age spot,[2] senile freckle[2] |
 | |
| Age spots on the left hand of a 63-year-old light-skinned man | |
| Specialty | Dermatology |
| Symptoms | Darker areas of skin[3] |
| Duration | Long-term[3] |
| Causes | Sun exposure[3] |
| Diagnostic method | Based on examination[3] |
| Differential diagnosis | Melanoma, freckles, seborrheic keratosis, multiple lentigines syndrome[3][4] |
| Prevention | Sunscreen, avoiding the sun[3] |
| Treatment | Cryotherapy, laser therapy[5] |
| Prognosis | Good[3] |
| Frequency | Very common[3] |
Age spot, also known as solar lentigo, is an area of darker skin associated with aging.[3] They range in color from light yellow, to brown, to black.[3][6] Their shape may be variable and up to several centimeters across.[3] They have a distinct border.[3] They may occur as groups on skin that is frequently exposed to the sun.[3]
The cause is sun exposure.[3][7] The underlying mechanism involves a build up of the pigment melanin.[3] Diagnosis is often based on examination.[3] In unclear cases a biopsy may be done.[3]
The condition is not serious.[3] Treatments involve the use of cryotherapy or laser therapy.[5] Use of 30% trichloroacetic acid on the area may be helpful.[6] Attempts at skin whitening with hydroquinone are not effective.[3] Without treatment, it is a long term condition.[3] Prevention is by using sunscreen or avoiding the sun.[3]
They are very common, particularly after the age of 40.[3] They are most common in Caucasians and Asians.[4] While sometimes referred to as "liver spots", they have no association with liver issues.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ a b James, William D.; Berger, Timothy G.; et al. (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.
- ^ a b Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. pp. 1716–17. ISBN 1-4160-2999-0.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "Solar lentigo | DermNet NZ". dermnetnz.org. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ a b "Solar Lentigo". fpnotebook.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ a b c "Hyperpigmentation - Dermatologic Disorders". Merck Manuals Professional Edition. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ a b Plensdorf, S; Livieratos, M; Dada, N (2017-12-15). "Pigmentation Disorders: Diagnosis and Management". American family physician. 96 (12): 797–804. PMID 29431372.
- ^ "Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation". www.cancer.org. Archived from the original on 2021-04-30. Retrieved 2020-07-07.