Actinic keratosis, also known as solar keratosis, is a pre-cancerous skin condition caused by too much exposure to the sun. Actinic keratoses are usually small (less than 1/4 inch across), rough or scaly spots that may be pink-red or flesh-colored. Usually they develop on the face, ears, backs of the hands, and arms of middle-aged or older people with fair skin, although they can arise on other sun-exposed areas. People with one actinic keratosis usually develop many more. Actinic keratoses tend to grow slowly. They usually do not cause any symptoms. They often go away on their own, but.
