What to know about actinic keratosis in outdoor workers

Actinic keratosis, also called solar keratosis, develops in skin that has received repeated ultraviolet exposure. It may feel like sandpaper before it is easy to see, and can look pink, red, brown, or skin-coloured. Common sites include the face, ears, scalp where hair is thin, forearms, and backs of the hands. Outdoor work can expose these areas during ordinary tasks, even when the weather feels mild.

A patch may remain small, become thicker, or appear alongside other sun-damaged spots. It is not possible to judge its significance from appearance alone, so a clinician may examine it closely and decide whether treatment or observation is appropriate.

Arrange a skin assessment for a new rough patch, a spot that keeps returning, or an area that changes. Reduce ultraviolet exposure by using shade, tightly woven clothing, a broad-brimmed hat, and sunscreen on uncovered skin. Reapply sunscreen as directed on its label, particularly during long shifts or after sweating.

Check exposed skin regularly, using a mirror or help for the scalp, ears, and back of the neck. Keep a simple record of spots that are being watched so changes in size, texture, colour, tenderness, or bleeding are easier to describe. A clinician may offer a treatment chosen according to the number, thickness, and location of lesions.

Book an appointment if a rough area persists, becomes thicker, or differs from nearby patches. Seek prompt medical review for a spot that bleeds without clear injury, develops a sore that does not heal, becomes increasingly painful, or grows noticeably. These features do not establish a diagnosis, but they warrant examination rather than continued self-monitoring.

Ask which areas need treatment, how to protect your skin during work, how often your skin should be checked, and what change should trigger an earlier review. You can also ask whether a rough patch could be another condition and how to care for the treated area.