Lentigo Diagnosis and Treatment

Lentigo is a type of brown skin lesion. In general terms these are often referred to as liver spots or age spots. Liver spots are flat brown-black spots that usually occur in sun-exposed areas of the body. Liver spots also known as age spots. Age spots are very common in adults older than age 40, they can affect younger people as well. Lentigo are caused by chronic sun exposure. It is normally found in the elderly (peak incidence in the 9th decade), on skin areas with high levels of sun exposure.Lentigo maligna melanoma is one of the 4 main subtypes of invasive melanoma and represents 5-15% of cases. The other types are superficial spreading (70%), nodular , and acral lentiginous melanoma.

Lentigo maligna is mostly seen in patients 50 to 80 years old and accounts for ten to 15 percent of skin cancer cases. A slight female preponderance is seen among patients with lentigo maligna. Lentigo maligna is mostly seen in patients 50 to 80 years old and accounts for ten to 15 percent of skin cancer cases. Large lentigo may be difficult to tell from skin cancer by lay persons. Any lentigo that develops black spots, bleeds, itches on a regular basis becomes inflamed or irritated needs to be evaluated by a dermatologist. Symptoms of lentigo maligna are lesions on the skin that appear tan to brown and occur on the head, neck and back of the hands. They are typically two to six centimeters in length and are irregularly shaped with darker spots.

Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy may all be used in the treatment of lentigo maligna. Noninvasive topical creams are also used. After several months of application, tretinoin cream and hydroquinone cream can lighten lentigines. A broad-spectrum sunscreen may help to prevent further appearance and darkening of solar lentigines. Liquid nitrogen is air that is so cold that it is in liquid form (-321ºF). The esthetician sprays the liquid nitrogen onto the age spot and this causes the mark to turn white a month or so after treatment. Treatment of solar lentigines with a focal medium-depth chemical peel may be clinically superior to treatment with cryosurgery. Vitamin C An antioxidant, vitamin C helps tissue repair. Take 15 mg a day for one to two months.

Juliet Cohen writes health articles for diseases blog and disorders cure.

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