By Overview
Seborrheic keratosis is a non-cancerous skin growth. It is often referred to as “age spots,” “barnacles,” or “senile wart.” These growths are very common and become more prevalent with age.
They are usually painless and harmless, but they can be itchy. They’re usually brown, black or light tan in color with a waxy or slightly raised appearance.
They can also have a wart-like surface. These benign growths pose no health risks and aren’t contagious.
The exact cause of seborrheic keratosis is still unknown. However, they are thought to be genetic in nature. They are also associated with sun exposure, which is why they often appear on sun-exposed areas of the skin.
Some people opt to have them removed for comfort or cosmetic reasons, even if treatment isn’t medically indicated and doesn’t indicate an underlying health problem.
