What should you know about seborrhoeic keratosis dermoscopy?

A seborrhoeic keratosis is often a well-defined, waxy, scaly, or stuck-on growth. Under magnification and controlled light, a clinician can inspect structures and colours that are harder to see with the unaided eye. Dermoscopy supports a visual assessment; it does not automatically provide a laboratory diagnosis, and an unusual or uncertain lesion may still need sampling or removal.

During the visit, the dermatoscope may be placed directly on the skin, sometimes with a clear contact layer. The clinician may compare the lesion with nearby skin, record its appearance, and ask when it appeared or changed. Bring up itching, repeated rubbing, bleeding, colour change, or a history of similar growths. Do not scrape the lesion or apply wart products before assessment.

Book a prompt review for a growth that changes noticeably, bleeds without an obvious injury, develops an open sore, becomes persistently irritated, or looks unlike your other lesions. Seek urgent care for uncontrolled bleeding or signs of a spreading skin infection. A dermatoscopy appointment is useful when the diagnosis is uncertain, not only when a lesion is symptomatic.

Ask what features support seborrhoeic keratosis, whether a photograph or follow-up comparison is useful, and whether tissue examination is recommended. If removal is discussed, ask about the expected wound care and whether the lesion will be sent for analysis.