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Removing Seborrheic Keratosis

(27 Posts)
GagaJo Tue 12-Oct-21 23:15:49

I have one on my face. Small, but I know they can grow bigger.

I looked it up online and read that tea tree oil could dry them up and remove them. I've been using it for about 6 weeks now and sure enough, with a bit help from me, it LOOKS as if it has flaked off, or at least most of it.

Esspee Wed 13-Oct-21 07:39:31

That’s good to know. I have dry patches, never diagnosed but I’m guessing they’re SK so I’ll have a try with tea tree oil.
Thanks GagaJo
How often have you been applying it?

BlueSky Wed 13-Oct-21 09:08:20

I need to try that GagaJo I have one which I asked the GP about and they said it’s too near the eye for laser.

TerriBull Wed 13-Oct-21 09:10:35

I have one on my temple, I'll give that a go. If you come back Gaga Jo, which tea tree oil did you use? just wondering if most brands would do the trick.

GagaJo Wed 13-Oct-21 13:53:34

I bought a 100% pure one, Australian. I've been putting it on multiple times a day, whenever I remember. Always at least twice tho. I was prepared for the tea tree oil to sting a bit, because I read warnings online about not using it neat but it's been fine. I put it on with a cotton bud. Currently it has a scab, but it does look as if most of it has gone, of course, it could just reappear as it heals!

I expected it to hurt when I scratched at it (the encouragement to come off) but it was a weird sensation, almost as if it didn't have the same amount of nerves in it as usual skin.

Baggs Wed 13-Oct-21 14:53:56

Tea Tree oil brings me out in a rash. Even things with tea tree oil in them do. Just saying so people are forewarned.

But then, baby oil bring me out in a rash so ?

GagaJo Wed 13-Oct-21 16:57:23

Baggs

Tea Tree oil brings me out in a rash. Even things with tea tree oil in them do. Just saying so people are forewarned.

But then, baby oil bring me out in a rash so ?

Yes, I was wary. So far, so good.

Fennel Wed 13-Oct-21 17:03:36

I have one on my hairline which itches. I've been using tea tree oil for a few weeks and only a little progress.
there's another thread about it in the health forum - more or less the same advice.

GagaJo Wed 13-Oct-21 22:50:11

I did a lot of searching online Fennel and watched videos of SK being removed by a dermatologist. All they really do is scrape it off. SO, when I'm administering my tea tree oil, I scratch it with a clean nail. Doesn't hurt.

JenniferEccles Wed 13-Oct-21 22:55:10

Did you say you used neat tea tree oil GagaJo ?
I have a couple of dry patches on my face and it sounds an easy remedy to try at least initially.

Callistemon Wed 13-Oct-21 22:56:12

GagaJo

I did a lot of searching online Fennel and watched videos of SK being removed by a dermatologist. All they really do is scrape it off. SO, when I'm administering my tea tree oil, I scratch it with a clean nail. Doesn't hurt.

It is excellent stuff but yes, it is very strong. Do you put it on with a cotton wool bud, Gagajo?
A doctor told me to rub them with a pumice stone but I haven't tried that. He wasn't a dermatologist so I wasn't sure about the advice.
Anyway, I can't reach them.

I've just wiped round the sills etc in the conservatory with very dilute tea tree in the hope that it will deter spiders.

Callistemon Wed 13-Oct-21 22:57:37

I put it on with a cotton bud
Sorry, you already said that

GagaJo Thu 14-Oct-21 00:02:10

Yes, neat oil. I was nervous of it, because I thought it would be too strong, but it's been fine. A pumice stone sounds like a good idea actually.

JenniferEccles Thu 14-Oct-21 00:09:52

Thanks. I might give it a try.

BlueSky Thu 14-Oct-21 08:44:43

Well I tried it, I put it on just before bed and the smell was overpowering, it gave me a headache and made me feel nauseous. Now that could be entirely coincidental, I could try during the day but I would be aware that I smell of wood preservative! Shame really. Anybody else had similar reactions?

henetha Thu 14-Oct-21 10:56:10

What does SK look like? Is it a dry white patch and very flaky?

Callistemon Thu 14-Oct-21 11:00:12

GagaJo

Yes, neat oil. I was nervous of it, because I thought it would be too strong, but it's been fine. A pumice stone sounds like a good idea actually.

I wouldn't use it on your face, though, it's a bit more delicate.
Mine are on my back and I can't reach them!
I might try the tea tree oil.

I love the smell BlueSky but DH doesn't.

Callistemon Thu 14-Oct-21 11:01:08

Oh, I meant I wouldn't use a pumice stone on your face

Should have made that clear.

BlueSky Thu 14-Oct-21 11:15:48

Calli it brought back DH’s smell which had been missing since he had Covid in August! So well worth it! smile

Fennel Thu 14-Oct-21 11:58:48

Henetha - I can't speak for other people but mine look like warts (yuck).
About 20 years ago I had one under my breast and the practice nurse scraped it off with a tiny scalpel.
My mother had one in the same place as mine and had it removed with laser.

GagaJo Thu 14-Oct-21 12:12:52

I really like the smell, fortunately.

I THINK most of mine has gone, but the area isn't completely healed yet, so I might be wrong

Fingers crossed.

Just a thought. Tea tree oil applied. Sterilised set of tweezers or something sharpish, to scrape at it. Numb with an ice cube and then set to? ONLY if you're able to reach it of course.

I once had a HUGE splinter completely embedded in my finger (no health care available - overseas) and numbed with ice before tweezing it out. Completely painless.

shysal Thu 14-Oct-21 12:58:17

henetha

What does SK look like? Is it a dry white patch and very flaky?

This is what they look like.
I have them all over my back, shoulders and front including the crease under my breasts. The one on my face is fairly recent, and I try to think of it as a beauty spot. However, I would get rid of it if it is simple, so I have ordered some tea tree oil.
www.bing.com/images/search?q=seborrheic+keratosis&form=HDRSC2&first=1&tsc=ImageBasicHover

Eviebeanz Thu 14-Oct-21 13:07:33

I wasn't very impressed when my GP said oh yes that's a senile wart it's possible you'll get lots of them from now on.
It's never like it is on TV is it.
I did have mine frozen off in the surgery tho.

Callistemon Thu 14-Oct-21 15:20:44

BlueSky

Calli it brought back DH’s smell which had been missing since he had Covid in August! So well worth it! smile

I've just wiped round the sills etc in the conservatory with very dilute tea tree in the hope that it will deter spiders.

DH won't sit in here today because he says it still smells of tea tree.
On the positive side, I haven't seen a spider today - yet .....
?

Callistemon Thu 14-Oct-21 15:26:06

I hope your DH is feeling a lot better now, Bluesky.

Tea tree oil is certainly very pungent.
DD recommends putting a couple of drops in a bowl of hot water and steam inhaling to get rid of nasal catarrh.