What skin conditions look like age spots?

Author: Dr. Annette Gleichner  |  Last update: Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Seborrheic Keratosis These tan or brown spots can appear almost anywhere on your body, especially after middle age. You'll probably have more than one. They're harmless, but they can look like precancer growths or skin cancer, so get your doctor to check them out.

What can be mistaken for age spots?

Age spots and melanomas can often look alike, but one of them is a harmless cosmetic issue and the other can be deadly. Melanomas are more likely to be darker in color, bleed, itch, have irregular borders, and be larger than age spots.

What rash looks like age spots?

A raised, rough-feeling patch that may be red, pink, skin-colored, or gray. The reddish, pink patch below this man's sideburn is an actinic keratosis. Flat, scaly area that looks like an age spot. AKs more commonly look like age spots in people who have skin of color.

What is the difference between age spots and seborrheic keratosis?

Seborrheic keratoses should not be mistaken for age spots or liver spots. They tend to be round or oval-shaped patches raised above the skin with a stuck-on appearance. Their texture can range from waxy to scaly.

Why am I suddenly getting age spots?

If you have light skin and spend a lot of time in the sun, you're more likely to develop age spots areas of increased pigmentation. Age spots are very common in adults older than 50, but younger people can get them if they spend time in the sun. Age spots can look like cancerous growths.

Seborrheic Keratosis (“Age Spots”) | Risk Factors, Causes, Skin Lesions, Diagnosis, Treatment

What deficiency causes age spots?

"… age pigment or lipofuscin, was proposed to be such a material. It is a brown pigment that generally increases with age, and its formation is increased by consumption of unsaturated fats, by vitamin E deficiency, by stress, and by exposure to excess estrogen."

Why are brown spots suddenly appearing on my body?

These spots can develop due to a variety of factors, including sun exposure, hormonal changes, inflammation, or underlying medical conditions.

What vitamin deficiency causes seborrheic keratosis?

Introduction. Seborrheic keratoses (SK) are benign epidermal tumors with high sun exposure as a major risk factor. Vitamin D deficiency is also thought to play a role in its pathogenesis.

What does a cancerous keratosis look like?

Rough, dry or scaly patch of skin, usually less than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter. Flat to slightly raised patch or bump on the top layer of skin. In some cases, a hard, wartlike surface. Color variations, including pink, red or brown.

What is the fastest way to get rid of age spots at home?

There are several at-home treatments that can reduce the look of age spots, including:
  1. Exfoliation. Skin cells regenerate about every month or so. ...
  2. Vitamin C serums. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps brighten skin and stimulates collagen production. ...
  3. Skin brightening serums. ...
  4. Prescription topicals. ...
  5. Chemical peels.

What does an autoimmune rash look like?

These rashes can appear as raised bumps, scaly patches, or blisters. Sensitivity to touch. Touching the affected area may elicit tenderness or discomfort. Spreading or changing shape.

Does apple cider vinegar really get rid of age spots?

There's also evidence that it may help manage dry skin, acne, and age spots, among other conditions. ACV is generally safe to use, but it does come with a risk of irritation or worsening skin symptoms, especially for people with sensitive skin or skin conditions.

Can melanoma look like an age spot?

Melanoma is a skin cancer that can show up on the skin in many ways. It can look like a: Changing mole. Spot that looks like a new mole, freckle, or age spot, but it looks different from the others on your skin.

Does hydrogen peroxide really get rid of age spots?

It works by breaking down the excess melanin in the age spots and gradually reducing their appearance. So, when used properly and in appropriate concentrations, hydrogen peroxide can be an effective and affordable option to remove age spots on the face.

What prescription cream is good for sun spots?

A cream called 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a type of chemotherapy drug used to treat sunspots and sometimes squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ (Bowen's disease). 5-FU works best on the face and scalp. Your doctor will explain how to apply the cream and how often. Many people use it once or twice a day for 2–4 weeks.

Are age spots raised and crusty?

Seborrheic keratosis and actinic keratosis can resemble each other. They both begin to appear after the age of 40, and they both can appear crusty and scaly.

What does a myeloma rash look like?

A multiple myeloma rash can present in different forms, such as redness, bumps, blisters, or lesions on the skin. Depending on the cause, these rashes may or may not be itchy.

What is the Bowen's disease?

Bowen's disease is a very early form of skin cancer. The cancer is on the top layer of your skin. It has not spread to the layers under the skin. Bowen's disease is also called 'squamous cell carcinoma in situ'. Squamous cells are the flat cells that make up the top of the skin.

What does seborrheic keratosis look like?

Seborrheic keratoses are usually brown, black or light tan. The growths (lesions) look waxy or scaly and slightly raised. They appear gradually, usually on the face, neck, chest or back.

Does vaseline get rid of seborrheic keratosis?

Treatments for seborrhoeic keratoses? As they are harmless they do not require any treatment. Any itching or irritation can frequently be relieved by simple moisturisers such as E45 cream® or Vaseline Intensive Care lotion®. NHS services do not currently treat seborrhoeic keratoses.

What foods trigger seborrheic keratosis?

While there are no good clinical studies, yeast and mold elimination diets may be helpful for people who have a difficult time controlling their seborrheic dermatitis. This entails eliminating breads, cheeses, wine, beer, excessive carbohydrates, and other foods made by yeast or fungi.

Can B12 deficiency cause skin problems?

Skin lesions associated with vitamin B12 deficiency are skin hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair changes. Cutaneous lesions that do not respond to conventional therapy can be an indication of vitamin B12 deficiency. Malabsorption is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Why have I suddenly got spots on my body?

When your body is under stress, it produces hormones called androgens that affect various parts of the body, including the skin. In the skin, these hormones may stimulate hair follicles and oil glands, leading to more inflammation and development of acne.

What autoimmune disease causes skin discoloration?

Vitiligo is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose pigment or color. This happens when melanocytes – skin cells that make pigment – are attacked and destroyed, causing the skin to turn a milky-white color.

What foods cause brown spots?

Parsnips, carrots and celery contain high levels of psoralen. It is also found in spices and herbs such as star anise, cumin, coriander, dill and mustard. Citrus fruits are also sources of psoralen. It's the reason lemon juice, a traditional remedy for dark spots, can actually cause more dark spots to form.

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