{"id":2148,"date":"2019-06-06T16:33:15","date_gmt":"2019-06-06T16:33:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/scfredesignpro.wpengine.com\/?page_id=2148"},"modified":"2025-01-27T19:52:00","modified_gmt":"2025-01-27T19:52:00","slug":"causes-and-risk-factors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/actinic-keratosis\/causes-and-risk-factors\/","title":{"rendered":"Actinic Keratosis Risk Factors"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;small translation&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\">Translation:\u00a0\u00a0 <a href=\"\/international\/la-keratose-actinique\/#risk\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2507\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/france-flag-icon-16.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"16\" height=\"11\" \/><\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"\/international\/aktinische-keratose\/#risk\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2508\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/germany-flag-icon-16.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"16\" height=\"10\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"\/international\/cheratosi-attinica\/#risk\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2509\" src=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/italy-flag-icon-16.png\" alt=\"Italian flag small icon\" width=\"16\" height=\"11\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"\/international\/gr-actinic-keratosis\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4172\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/greece-flag-icon-16.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"16\" height=\"11\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/international\/queratosis-actinicas\/#risk\">En Espa\u00f1ol<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\">Actinic Keratosis\u00a0<span style=\"color: rgba(50,63,74,0.65);\">Risk Factors<\/span><\/h1>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-10&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;The Risks. The Causes. What You Can Do.&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|text_align:center&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;9\/12&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;large&#8221;]Actinic keratosis (AK) is a very common skin precancer. Understanding your <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/risk-factors\/\">risk factors<\/a>\u00a0along with what causes AK can help you prevent it from developing. Being aware of your disease risk will also help you spot AKs early, when they are highly treatable. If left untreated, they can turn into <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/squamous-cell-carcinoma\/\">squamous cell carcinoma<\/a>, a type of skin cancer.<\/p>\n<h4>These factors increase your risk<\/h4>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\"><b>History of unprotected exposure<\/b> to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or indoor tanning. This includes people who work outdoors in the sun, people with a bald scalp or thinning hair and those who have had sunburns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\"><strong>Geographic location:<\/strong> The closer to the equator you live, the more likely you are to have AKs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\"><b>Weakened immune system<\/b> due to a medical condition or medications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\"><b>Light skin:<\/b> While anyone can develop AKs, they occur far more frequently in people with light skin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\"><b>Age over 40: <\/b>AKs are most common in people age 40 and older.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;page-nav&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#uv\">Unprotected UV exposure<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#location\">Geographic location near the equator<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#weakened\">Weakened immune system<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#skin\">Skin type<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#age\">Age over 40<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#do\">What you can do<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;middle&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1532456871168{background-color: #323f4a !important;}&#8221;][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243; el_class=&#8221;subpage-nav&#8221;][vc_btn title=&#8221;Overview&#8221; style=&#8221;custom&#8221; custom_background=&#8221;#323f4a&#8221; custom_text=&#8221;#ffcc42&#8243; shape=&#8221;square&#8221; size=&#8221;lg&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; i_align=&#8221;right&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fa fa-arrow-right&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skincancer.org%2Fskin-cancer-information%2Factinic-keratosis%2F|title:Actinic%20Keratosis||&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243; el_class=&#8221;subpage-nav&#8221;][vc_btn title=&#8221;Warning Signs&#8221; style=&#8221;custom&#8221; custom_background=&#8221;#323f4a&#8221; custom_text=&#8221;#ffcc42&#8243; shape=&#8221;square&#8221; size=&#8221;lg&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; i_align=&#8221;right&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fa fa-arrow-right&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skincancer.org%2Fskin-cancer-information%2Factinic-keratosis%2Factinic-keratosis-warning-signs-and-images%2F|title:Actinic%20Keratosis%20Warning%20Signs||&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243; el_class=&#8221;subpage-nav&#8221;][vc_btn title=&#8221;Treatment&#8221; style=&#8221;custom&#8221; custom_background=&#8221;#323f4a&#8221; custom_text=&#8221;#ffcc42&#8243; shape=&#8221;square&#8221; size=&#8221;lg&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; i_align=&#8221;right&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fa fa-arrow-right&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skincancer.org%2Fskin-cancer-information%2Factinic-keratosis%2Factinic-keratosis-treatment-options%2F|title:Actinic%20Keratosis%20Treatment||&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row el_class=&#8221;content-block&#8221; el_id=&#8221;uv&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Unprotected UV exposure&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]Chronic unprotected exposure to UV radiation is the leading cause of actinic keratosis. This is why AKs often appear on sun-exposed areas of skin.<\/p>\n<p>Sun damage to the skin is cumulative. This means that the more time you spend in the sun over the years &#8212; even for brief periods &#8212; the greater your odds of developing AKs. The UV rays emitted by indoor tanning beds are especially dangerous in raising your risk of developing AKs and all types of skin cancer.<\/p>\n<p>Find out more about the skin cancer risks associated with <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/risk-factors\/uv-radiation\/\">UV radiation<\/a> here.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;content-block&#8221; el_id=&#8221;location&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Geographic location&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]Living close to the equator where the UV rays are strong most of the year means more exposure to the sun&#8217;s harmful effects. Thus, the likelihood of getting AKs is higher for people who live in regions close to the equator.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of climate, anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors without protection risks developing one or more AKs. Even when it\u2019s overcast, about 80 percent of UV rays can pass through clouds.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;content-block&#8221; el_id=&#8221;weakened&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Weakened immune system&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]If your immune system is weakened, your risk of developing AKs is higher. Your immune system can be weakened by medical treatments like chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy. Your immune function can also be reduced if you have a medical condition such as leukemia, lymphoma or HIV. Extensive UV exposure suppresses the immune system, reducing its ability to repair further damage.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;content-block&#8221; el_id=&#8221;skin&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Skin type&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]Although anyone can develop AKs, people with <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/risk-factors\/skin-type\/\">fair skin<\/a>\u00a0 \u2013 especially individuals with red or blond hair, blue or green eyes, or skin that freckles or easily burns \u2013 have a higher risk for developing AKs.<\/p>\n<p>If you don\u2019t know your skin type, <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/risk-factors\/skin-type\/\">take the quiz and find out<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;content-block&#8221; el_id=&#8221;age&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Age over 40&#8243; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]Because sun damage to the skin accumulates over time, the longer you live, the greater the total lifetime damage. This explains why AKs are increasingly more common in people over age 40.<\/p>\n<p>However, AKs also occur in young adults, especially people with fair skin and light eyes, and those who spend a lot of time outdoors.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=&#8221;content-block&#8221; el_id=&#8221;do&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;What you can do&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<strong>Be on the lookout:<\/strong> Perform monthly self-exams and visit your dermatologist annually for a thorough professional skin exam.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Protect against UV rays:<\/strong> No matter your skin type, you can reduce your risk of getting AKs and skin cancer by taking simple, <a href=\"http:\/\/skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-prevention\/\">smart protective measures<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<em><strong>Reviewed by<\/strong>:<br \/>\nLeonard H. Goldberg, MD <\/em><br \/>\n<em>Mark Lebwohl, MD<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">This section is made possible with support from<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center; gap: 10px;\"><a class=\"sponsor-logo sponsor-logo-150\" href=\"https:\/\/www.almirall.us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/ALM_AW_LOGO_Tagline_SV_Black_RGB-.png.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"602\" height=\"439\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"sponsor-logo sponsor-logo-150\" href=\"https:\/\/us.ameluz.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Biofrontera_Logo_RGB.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1163\" height=\"389\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;small translation&#8221;] Translation:\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 En Espa\u00f1ol [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text] Actinic Keratosis\u00a0Risk Factors [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-10&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;The Risks. The Causes. What You [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5306,"parent":2129,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2148","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.3 (Yoast SEO v25.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Actinic Keratosis Risk Factors - The Skin Cancer Foundation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Find out what increases your risk for developing the common skin precancerous actinic keratosis (AK), and understand what causes it.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/actinic-keratosis\/causes-and-risk-factors\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Actinic Keratosis Risk Factors\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Find out what increases your risk for developing the common skin precancerous actinic keratosis (AK), and understand what causes it.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/actinic-keratosis\/causes-and-risk-factors\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Skin Cancer Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/skincancerfoundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-01-27T19:52:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bannerswebAK.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1008\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@skincancerorg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/actinic-keratosis\/causes-and-risk-factors\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/actinic-keratosis\/causes-and-risk-factors\/\",\"name\":\"Actinic Keratosis Risk Factors - 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