seborrheic Keratosis

I've had this for years and years. Once I realised it wasn't a health issue I didn't worry about it. I wouldn't describe it as awful but then I've no desire to expose my chest and back to public gaze.

So I shrug and ignore it. As signs of aging go it's hardly on my radar.

Sorry to be of no help whatsoever!!

Thank you for your reply
However I’m afraid I feel differently about it
I have it on my face ...with visible evidence of more appearing ....I also don’t happen to feel that is a part of the ageing process or everyone would be showing evidence of it .

I think the only treatment is having them removed surgically.

I have some on my back which don't bother me except if my bra rubs on them. I can understand that facial ones are more distressing. My GP has 'frozen' some that have irritated me. It's quick, easy and painless. Perhaps ask your GP about freezing?

Thanks Monica
I was thinking surgery might be the only way but was hopeful members might have had some suggestions or experience of any other methods of removing this unsightly condition ..

I've got them behind my knees, so they are not a problem. There is one small plaque on my upper eyelid, I hope it doesn't darken too much.
On The Bad Skin Clinic (Quest Red) on TV Dr Emma removed some from a lady's face using a metal scraper thing.

If the GP considers them cosmetic the only way to get them removed is privately. Surgical removal is the only way I know that works.

I've got loads. Mostly where they don't show thank goodness. I have one little patch on the side of my face near the hairline which I keep down by scratching the top off every so often. Very satisfying.

My doctor told me they used to be called senile warts.

A few hundred years, I would have been burnt as a witch.

Jube2 I've posted about the possibility of freezing. Do ask your GP about it.

You can get them lasered (privately). I had my whole back done 3yrs ago (millions of the bastards) & that took 3/4 of them away. I'm going back in a few months to have the last bits done. There's no scarring. It cost me about £600

Private clinic on Sloane Street.

I've got loads of them, on my back, shoulders, and under my breasts. A few on my face too, but they're pale and easily covered with foundation. My mother had them too, so I think they are probably hereditary. Never really thought about having them removed, but I can understand those who are unhappy about them.

i had one on my chest wall, right where my underwires bra fitted. my gp was very reluctant to refer me to have it treated and implied that its something that comes with age
i gave it some thought and researched around the subject and decided to use wart remover. it worked a treat. the area felt sore initially then healed beautifully. if i get another thats the way im going
having said that, im no medical expert. medical people may throw their hands up in horror. what worked for me may not work on anyone else.

jube2, I had one on my back recently. It was a real horror and quite fast growing. GP was suspicious and referred me under the two week pathway. I was nervous of what it might be, but very grateful for the quick appointment. It turned out to be a SK and I opted to have it removed with liquid nitrogen there and then. It has healed beautifully. I most definitely wouldn't have wanted to keep it, and if more appear I'll be keen to head them off at the pass! Hope this helps.

That's interesting about them being called "senile warts". I had always supposed they were a kind of wart.

Don’t ask me why but I put toothpaste on one on my cheek. After a week or so it fell off whilst washing my face ...nice!
Would NOT use it anywhere near my eyes tho. Far too much damage could occur.

And NEVER on broken or itchy skin. Actually, probably best not try it at all!

Well I've just googled this and realise that I have one of these on my face! I've had it for over 30 years so I wasn't geriatric when it came. I had no idea what it was. I asked a GP once if I could have it removed. She said it was cosmetic. I couldn't afford to have it done at the time so just covered it with make up. I may get it taken off now.

I have one in the top of my thigh. I've had it as long as I can remember. When I was a child I used to rub it off in the bath. It always came back though.

Thank you all for your replies and various experiences with this unsightly warts/scabs / raised blemishes whatever we each call them
My facial ones are quite raised so make up is not an option as it would cake in the unevenness of them ...they are horrid and I don't want to just lived with them .
Like KatyK said she's has had one for 30 years so not a ageing thing ....first poster would seem to disagree and thinks it is ...
I will go to my GP and have them checked anyway and I certainly don't want to hold onto them , I'll happily pay for any surgical procedures to remove them ,. Even flying to a clinic that he would recommend ? ...I'm a long way from Sloane Street I live in the Western Isles ?
Many thanks ?

"First poster" has no opinion on these raised warts that darken as they age (in her experience). When she said they were an age related thing it was because of what she'd just read that about them after she looked up the term Seborrheic Keratosis (which term she'd never come across before), namely that they are age-related.

This does not mean that everyone will get them as they get older just as cancer and dementia being often age related conditions does not mean that everyone will get those.

It's the same thing, essentially, with the side effects of medicines. All known possibilities have to be listed but most people do not get most of the side effects and some people don't get any.

Age-related just means a thing is more likely to occur as one ages or, to put it another way, less likely to occur when one is young.

I'm sorry your keratosis is on your face, jube. I'd probably want one on my face removed too.

Quote from Wikipedia article on Seborrheic Kreatosis:

A seborrheic keratosis is a non-cancerous (benign) skin tumour that originates from cells in the outer layer of the skin. Like liver spots, seborrheic keratoses are seen more often as people age

I see your post re Wikipedia ...but “ seen more often as people age” is probable
But we also have a poster who’s shared that she has had one for over 30 years which may have made her a youngish person ....I have seen young folk inflicted with them ...
I know one woman who was told while swimming that she had “scabs” on her back ...she didn’t go back ...don't think I would either .
Thanks Baggs I hope I can find a way either privately or NHS to remove them ...it’s nit a nice look