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Lentigo is a gentle skin condition, which is caused due to the hyperpigmentation of the epidermal basal cell layers. In this condition tan brown color, oval shaped lesions on the affected part of the skin. This is mainly caused due to overexposure to sun. Freckles also have same kind of lesions but freckles become dark when further exposed to sun while Lentigo doesn’t become dark. These types of nodules that appear in this skin condition can happen to anyone belonging to any group.
Lentigo is a very common skin condition and several people suffer from this condition worldwide. 90% of the cases of Lentigo are registered worldwide among people over the age of 60 years while about 20% of the cases were registered among youth belonging to the age group below 35 years. The Lentigo that is caused due to overexposure to sun is mostly common in those with fair skin complexion. But that doesn’t mean the dark color people will not have this skin condition. Men are more prone to getting this skin condition and adults and children can also easily suffer from this skin condition.
Heredity is also one of the possible causes of Lentigo and if anyone in your family had this condition then your chances of having this skin condition are also more. Lentigo maligna is a common type of Lentigo that generally occurs in adults and mainly on their face. In this skin condition the face has brown and black patch which is flat in nature. Soon it will get converted into a nodule and this can happen at any age. There can be several things that can be responsible for the outbreak of this skin condition.
Lentigo maligna is also called as Hutchinson’s freckle. This will only appear on those skin parts that are overexposed to the sunlight. This skin condition will not get spread to other body parts. The lesions produced in this case can be temporary or can be permanent ones. No matter what type of Lentigo you are suffering form there is always a risk of skin cancer associated with it and hence you cannot neglect the presence of such nodules on your skin. Doctors will use incisional shave biopsy to diagnose your skin condition. The dermato-pathologist will observe these skin patches and will also go through your clinical history. Only after all these the doctor can decide what kind of Lentigo you are suffering from.
In case you don’t want to have these patches on your skin then you always have the option of surgery to get rid from these patches if they are small in size. Retinoids and keratinocytes are also effective in reducing the malignant degeneration and reduce the chances of skin cancer as well. For old people the radiation therapy is the best way to cure these lesions.
You can take some precautions in order to avoid getting Lentigo. Protect yourself from the harsh sunrays. Whenever you go out in sun, apply sunscreen lotion on your skin and mostly in those parts of the skin which are in direct contact with the sunrays. Wear hat and sunglasses to protect your head and eyes form the heat. If possible avoid going out of the house when it is very hot.
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