This is a very common condition which is caused by repeated sun damage over many years. Solar keratosis is generally harmless but the solar keratosis patch can turn into skin cancer. Solar keratosis is also known as actinic keratosis. It mostly appears on necks, hands, back of hands, scalp, and forearms.
This condition starts at age of 30 and 40 and it becomes more common as we are getting older. The size of solar keratosis is between two and six millimeters. People who are fair-skinned are having more chances to get solar keratosis. The most common symptoms of solar keratosis are inflammation; burning of the affected area; a rough, dry, or scaly patch of skin; color variation from pink to red to brown; hard, wart-like exterior; bumpy, dehydrated, and incrusted patches on the skin; itching; blurring of lip border and adjacent skin; horn-like appearance; reddish; rapid enlargement; ulceration and bleeding. Solar keratosis also can be caused by tanning beds. If you leave the solar keratosis untreated, then it can increase your risk of squamous cell carcinoma. You can prevent solar keratosis by protecting your skin against harmful UV rays and limiting your exposure to the sun. You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from solar keratosis before you start using some of the below-mentioned home remedies.
10 home remedies for solar keratosis
Colloidal silver treats solar keratosis
This is a colorless and odorless liquid supplement which can be used as a natural treatment for solar keratosis. You can put this natural cure in a spray bottle and apply it to the affected skin at least 2 times per day.
Iodine
It was found that the topical application of iodine can be an effective home remedy for solar keratosis. You should apply iodine by using a cotton swab to the affected areas two times per day. You should apply it at night because the iodine tends to stain the skin for a time. Iodine is making your skin yellow-orange so the best time to apply it is at night. Also, you can use other topical solutions in the morning. Lugol’s iodine is good for both external and internal use.
Limit your time in the sun
You should avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and you should avoid staying in the sun for a long period because in this way you can get a suntan or sunburn. Both of them can result in skin damage and this will increase your risk of developing solar keratosis. Also, the sun exposure accumulated over time can increase the risk of solar keratosis.
Dietary changes
It is a known fact that people who maintain a healthy and nutritious diet tend to have a healthy life and this keeps diseases at bay. When you are maintaining a healthy diet, then it keeps the body working properly and at the same time, it can help in the prevention of many health problems, such as solar keratosis and skin cancer. You should try to consume at least 5 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables on daily basis no matter if you have solar keratosis or not. You should consume fruits that are rich in Vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, and vegetables which are rich in minerals, such as selenium, and antioxidants in the form of beta carotene which is the case with broccoli. When you eat the right foods in your diet, then it will ensure that the health of your skin and cells is well maintained. You should get your daily dose of whole grains, beans, and sea vegetables because they can help you to boost your immune system. Olive oil, hot pepper, cabbage, white fish, tomatoes, grapes, green tea, onion, and garlic are some of the foods which have anti-cancer and immune-boosting properties. Also, they are rich in Omega – 3 fatty acids which are beneficial for the health of the skin and the body’s immune system, especially when it comes to the prevention of melanoma. Also, you can consume fish oil, butter, and fish cooked in olive oil at least 2 times per week because this will give you an added layer of protection. You should avoid some food items, such as preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and red meat because they are cancer-causing agents.
Castor oil cures solar keratosis naturally
This oil can be used as a home remedy for solar keratosis. This natural cure has no side effects which is a good method that you can try on your skin, but you should know that not all people who have used it as their natural treatment, have found success in it. You can use it to get a soothing effect on your burns and inflammation which is caused by lesions. This home remedy can help to reduce the spots if it is applied on regular basis.
Eggplant
There are some studies which are shown that this natural cure has the potential to treat squamous cell cancers. There are many people who have found success when they are mixing eggplant with apple cider vinegar to treat solar keratosis. Also, you can make your own eggplant cream at your home by following the next steps: You should take a reasonably sized eggplant and mince it well. You should put it in a jar and then add apple cider vinegar until it covers the eggplant. You should put this home remedy in a refrigerator and let it stay there for around three days until the vinegar has darkened which means that it is ready for use. You should dip a cotton ball or swab into the mixture and apply it to the affected areas several times each day.
Water intake
You should stay hydrated by drinking eight glasses of water on a daily basis. This will keep you hydrated and also it can help you to feel great. When your body is well–hydrated, then it is able to flush the harmful toxins out of your body through urination.
Green tea treats solar keratosis naturally
This is also a very effective home remedy for solar keratosis. You can take it in a form of tea or you can apply it topically on your skin. This tea has astringent properties which are making it a great home remedy for different skin problems. If you have sunburn, then you should place a bag of green tea on the affected area to prevent more damage. You should soak the tea bag in warm water. Also, you can drink green tea or take it in a form of supplements. It is considered safe to consume green tea. You should not consume more than 5 cups of green tea in one day because in this way you will avoid some side effects, such as irritability, headaches, and diarrhea. If you have noticed that when you place a tea bag on the affected skin and it causes skin irritation, then you should stop using it and talk with your doctor.
Tea tree oil
There are many people who have said that when they use tea tree oil as their natural treatment for solar keratosis, then they have found relief from it. This natural cure has many antimicrobial properties. You should dilute this home remedy with virgin coconut oil and then apply it slowly to your affected skin area. You should do this natural treatment several times per day until you see improvements in your condition.
Virgin coconut oil
When you are using coconut oil as your natural treatment for solar keratosis, then you should be aware that this natural treatment will not give you fast results. The positive results of it can be gradually seen over time. You should regularly apply the organic form of coconut oil to the spots. This natural cure can help you to rid of the spots on the neck, scalp, face, nose, and forehead. At first, your affected spots can turn red and they can also burn a bit but in a period of one month of application, you will start noticing changes. You will notice that your skin will become softer and the spots will start to vanish. You should apply it on a daily basis until the spots disappear.
Apple cider vinegar
This is a very effective home remedy which can help in the treatment of many health problems. It can be used as a cure for many different skin problems. You should dab a bit of apple cider vinegar directly on the affected skin and you will notice improvements in a very short time. You should use this natural treatment on regular basis. You should soak a cotton ball in the apple cider vinegar and then put it on the affected skin. You should cover it tightly using a waterproof bandage. You should wear these bandages overnight. You should remove them when you wake up in the morning. When you are doing this natural treatment, then you will notice that your bump will start to appear white and gradually be removed as the time passes due to the acidic content of the apple cider vinegar.
