Understanding Keratosis Cells: Characteristics & What They Indicate

Seborrhoeic keratoses cells are not a pretty sight. A body covered in keratoses cells is a result of the breakdown in chemical compounds caused by aging skin. Keratoses cells are nonmalignant and are not restricted to the seborrhoeic -- head and upper back -- regions of the body. Describing a keratosis cell requires identifying several standout characteristics of the melanoma.

Things You'll Need

• Mirror
• Magnifying glass

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Instructions

• 1

  Identify individual or clusters of cells -- or lesions -- on the surface of the skin. Look for spots on all areas of the body, including the lower back and hands.

• 2

  Notice the light-brown color of all recent lesions. Identify aging lesions by a dark brown or black color. Feel the lesion for bulge and thickness. Keratoses lesions become hard and dense over several weeks.

• 3

  Take a close look at the surface of the lesion for a crustlike quality. Large lesions tend to carry a crusty-surface area while smaller spots often remain only discolored and raised off the surface.

• 4

  Feel the area around the lesion to tell if it is irritated or infected. Press with your fingers to feel for a burn or pain on the skin. Irritated lesions are red or pink in the center and may splinter and ooze or scab.