A small rough spot on the skin that can give rise to a skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. Actinic keratosis is due to excessive sun exposure and most frequently occurs in fair-skinned people after 40 years of age. Common locations for actinic keratosis are the face, scalp, nape of the neck, upper chest, forearms, […]

A common skin disorder that is characterized by benign, painless, often wart-like skin lesions that appear to be ‘stuck on.’ The raised spots are usually yellow or brown. Treatment, if warranted, involves surgical or cryo-surgical removal. Also known as seborrheic warts and verruca.

A severe form of scabies that is caused by delaying treatment of the initial infestation. Keratotic scabies is characterized by mite-filled lesions covered with scabs. These lesions often become infected with bacteria such as staphylococcus. Keratotic scabies is most common in people with immune-system problems, including AIDS, diabetes, and lupus. Also known as crusted scabies.

A surgical cut of the cornea.

A surgical procedure designed to flatten the cornea and thereby correct nearsightedness (myopia). It is called a radial keratotomy because the radial incisions in the cornea resemble the spokes in a bicycle wheel.