Wanted to get that perfect tan on the beach, but instead got blisters? Well, overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of the Sun can cause deep sunburns, skin cancer, and actinic keratosis, which is a dermatological condition that is characterized by the development of rough and peeling areas on the skin. Read on to find out more about actinic keratosis natural treatment.
What is Actinic Keratosis?
Actinic keratosis(1) is a skin condition caused due to the prolonged exposure of the Sun and its carcinogenic ultraviolet rays for years. Rough and blistering patches develop on the skin along with severe burning and itching sensations.
- Low melanin level of skin
- Aging of skin
- Sultry and hot weather
- Weakened body immunity
- Infection caused by the HPV virus
Symptoms
- The appearance of rough and dry areas on the skin
- Development of hard warts on the skin
- Itchy and burning sensations of the skin
Natural Remedies For Actinic Keratosis
CURE 1: Foods
Eggplant
The topical application of eggplant is highly useful for the home treatment of hypertrophic actinic keratosis and pigmented actinic keratosis on the face and lips.
How to use?
- Take a medium-sized eggplant and chop it into pieces
- Steam the slices of eggplant and mash the steamed pieces into a thick paste
- Add a few teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to the eggplant mash
- Smear the eggplant mash all over the actinic keratosis on the face and actinic keratosis on the lip
- Rinse it off after about half an hour
- Do this twice daily for the actinic keratosis natural treatment
Benefits of using eggplant:
Eggplant possesses the biochemical compound solasodine-rhamnosyl glycosides which are remarkably effective for the home treatment of actinic keratosis.
Precaution
- Do not use this remedy if you are allergic to eggplant
Foods to Eat |
Foods to Avoid |
| Seeds and nuts | Junk food |
| Fresh vegetables and fruits |
Oily and processed food
|
| Fatty fishes like mackerel, salmon, etc. |
Sugary beverages
|
| Cereals with rich fibrous content |
Carbonated beverages
|
| Lean meat and poultry eggs |
Spicy foods and sauces
|
|
Milk, yogurt, and other dairy products
|
CURE 2: Herbal Treatments
Green tea
Green tea is one of the most effective home remedies for precancerous actinic keratosis and lichenoid actinic keratosis.
How to use?
- Prepare freshly brewed green tea and drink 5-6 cups of it on a daily basis for the home treatment of hypertrophic actinic keratosis, precancerous actinic keratosis, and lichenoid actinic keratosis
- You can also press the wet and warm used green tea bags to the affected areas of the skin surface for the cure of actinic keratosis
Benefits of using green tea:
Green tea is a powerhouse of antioxidants. The antioxidants contained in green tea can fight against free radicals and protect the skin against oxidative stress. The phytonutrients contained in green tea can cure skin cancer and help in the treatment of infection and inflammation of the skin.
Precaution
- Conduct a patch test on the skin with green tea bags to make sure that your skin is not allergic to it
- Do not drink too much green tea as that might cause acid reflux and digestive problems
[ Read: Treat Sunburn Naturally ]
CURE 3: Essential Oils
Tea tree essential oil
Tea tree essential oil (2) when diluted with olive oil is incredibly beneficial for actinic keratosis on the scalp, actinic keratosis on the face, actinic keratosis on the nose, and actinic keratosis on lips.
How to use?
- Mix a few drops of tea tree essential oil with 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil
- Apply the oil mixture to the pigmented actinic keratosis on the face and scalp before going to bed at night
- Rinse the affected areas of the skin with cold water in the next morning
- Do this daily for the actinic keratosis natural treatment
Benefits of using tea tree essential oil:
The topical application of the oil helps to soothe the irritation and itchiness of rough and dry areas of the skin. The antioxidants contained in the essential oil can cure the infection and inflammation of the skin and aid the home treatment of precancerous actinic keratosis.
Precaution
- Dilute the tea tree essential oil with olive oil before applying it on the skin
- Conduct a patch test to make sure that your skin is not sensitive to it
[Also Read: Essential Oils for Sunburn]
CURE 4: Home Remedies
Coconut oil
The topical application of coconut oil is one of the best ways of actinic keratosis natural treatment.
How to use?
- Smear the affected areas of the skin with slightly warmed coconut oil for the home treatment of actinic keratosis freezing and lichenoid actinic keratosis
- Do this on a daily basis before going to bed at night
- Rinse the areas of the skin in the next morning and follow suit at night
Benefits of using coconut oil: The application of coconut oil helps in the moisturization of the skin. It forms a protective layer on the skin surface and locks the moisture thereby keeping the skin naturally hydrated, soft, and supple.
[ Read: Coconut Oil for Sunburn ]
Warm compress
The application of warm compress is one of the most effective home remedies for actinic keratosis natural treatment.
How to use?
- Apply the warm compress to the affected areas of the skin thrice a day on a daily basis for the cure of actinic keratosis
Benefits of using a warm compress: The application of warm compress helps in establishing healthy blood flow and enhancing the blood circulation. It helps in the cure of the roughness of skin and makes it soft and supple.
Precaution
- Make sure that the warm compress is not too hot that it scalds your skin
How to prevent Actinic Keratosis?
- Use sunscreen lotion to prevent the exposure of the skin from the Sun
- Keep your skin moisturized to avoid the dryness of skin
Actinic Keratosis vs. Seborrheic Keratosis
Both Actinic keratosis and seborrheic keratosis are dermatological disorders. You can characterize seborrheic keratosis by the appearance of malignant warts and skin growths whereas you can characterize actinic keratosis by the presence of dangerous skin outgrowths and hardened warts.
Bottom Line
The home remedies of actinic keratosis are marvelously effective. The administration of a combination of multiple remedies can prevent the dryness of skin and protect the skin against the harmful effects of the Sun. The home remedies are unusual and yet so simple and prepared with ingredients that are available right in your kitchen.
FAQS
1. How long does actinic keratosis take to heal?
Actinic keratosis typically takes for about 4 to 6 weeks to heal or sometimes disappears on its own. However, with more sun exposure it can always return. If left untreated, the redness can turn into blisters. Also, it is impossible to detect which patch might turn to be cancerous so, consulting your medical practitioner is better.
2. Can actinic keratosis appear suddenly?
Typically actinic keratosis appears without any warning. Most commonly it develops in adults who are in their 40s.
3. Are actinic keratosis painful?
Though actinic keratosis is not painful, it can cause discomfort. To deal with the redness, blisters, and itching can be a painful task.
