Seborrhoeic warts

What are seborrhoeic warts?

Seborrhoeic warts may look 'warty', but aren't actually warts at all, as they aren’t caused by the wart virus. They're more properly called seborrhoeic keratoses, which are non-cancerous growths on the outer layer of skin. They aren't harmful but look ugly, so most people want them removed for cosmetic reasons.

Symptoms

These can range from just one growth to clusters of lesions. They're usually brown, but can vary from a pale fleshy colour to dark brown and even black. They may seem greasy or waxy, and often look as though they've been stuck on the skin and will just knock off. This is because they grow from a central 'stalk', which is hidden beneath the mushrooming lump. Size varies too, from tiny bumps to large bobbly lumps as big as a 50p. They can develop anywhere, but most commonly on the back, chest, neck, scalp and face.

Causes and risk factors

The cause of seborrhoeic keratoses isn't known, but almost everyone will develop a few of these growths as they age (which is why they are called 'barnacles of old age'). There's some evidence that they may be linked to changes in hormone levels, as they may also develop during pregnancy or following oestrogen treatment.

Seborrhoea keratoses aren't related to exposure to sunlight, nor are they infectious. Most importantly, they have nothing to do with skin cancer.

While they may get larger, the only real medical problems they cause are a result of their size and position - that is, they can rub on clothes, get sore and bleed.

Treatment and recovery

Most seborrhoeic keratoses are eventually removed if the person requests it, because they can get irritated and bleed, and look unsightly. This is usually available on the NHS and involves simple techniques, mostly done under local anaesthetic.

Seborrhoeic keratoses must be removed using one of three methods:

• Cryotherapy to freeze them off
• Curettage to scrape them off
• Electrocautery to burn them off