Signs, Symptoms, and Causes of Seborrheic Keratoses

Locations

Seborrheic keratoses are most commonly found on various parts of the body including the chest, stomach, back, neck, scalp, and face. However, they can also develop on almost any external body part except for the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. It is important to note that these lesions do not grow on mucous membranes, which are found in areas such as the mouth, nose, or genital openings.


Causes

Understanding the causes of seborrheic keratosis is an ongoing challenge for experts in the field. These growths occur due to the benign expansion of epidermal keratinocytes, which are the most abundant cells found on the outer layer of the skin. Although there is a belief that there might be a hereditary genetic component, the exact cause of this condition remains unknown. Researchers have hypothesized that mutations in certain receptors may play a role in the development of these skin lesions.

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