Seborrhoeic Keratosis (SEB K)

What is Seborrhoeic Keratosis?

Seborrhoeic keratosis (Seb K)  are benign growths caused by a build-up of skin cells. Seb K are very common, harmless, often brown/black, growths on the skin. In the UK more than half the men and more than a third of women have at least one Seb K. By the age of 40, 30% of the population are affected while by the age of 70 it increases to 75%. They are also found in younger people. 

What causes Seborrhoeic Keratosis?

Despite their name, Seb K are nothing to do with sebaceous (oil) glands or viral warts. It is unknown what causes them. It has been suggested that sunlight is a risk factor.

What do Seborrhoeic Keratosis look like?

Seb K have a rough surface, and range in colour from pink to almost black. They can affect anyone, but on dark-skinned people they can also appear as a lot of small dark brown or black bumps, especially on the face and the neck (this is called dermatosis Papulosa nigra).

Small flat Seb K can often become more raised and larger as the years go by. Their size varies from less than one centimetre to several centimetres across. They give the impression that they are stuck onto the surface of the skin.

Seb K occur most often on the trunk, but are also common on the head and neck. The numbers vary and one person may have just one, whilst others may have many. Once present, they usually remain and new ones may appear over the years.

Prevention

As the exact cause is unknown, there is little that can be done to prevent them, other than sun protection.