Age spot
| Classification according to ICD-10 | |
|---|---|
| L81.4 | Other melanin hyperpigmentation |
| ICD-10 online (WHO version 2019) | |
Age spots ( Latin Lentigines seniles , Lentigines solares ) are pigment disorders of the skin. They result from increased, chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation , e.g. B. Sunlight. This leads to local, sharply delimited light brown spots ("macules") with an increase in melanin-producing melanocytes , predominantly in the area of the backs of the hands, forearms and facial skin. The spots are accumulations of the brownish-waxy pigment lipofuscin (also age or wear and tear pigment ), which is the end product of the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids in the cell membranes. The lysosomes are no longer able to completely break down the substance. So it remains as a stain.
The phenomenon is related to that of the freckles (lat. Ephelids ). In the case of freckles, however, there is no increase in melanocytes. Age spots can best be removed by medical laser therapy or by treatment with fruit , vitamin A acid or rucinol- containing preparations, see also skin lightening . Subsequent consistent UV protection prevents this from occurring again. Age spots are benign. However, since there is a subtype of malignant melanoma ( lentigo maligna melanoma) that has clear similarities and develops from lentigo maligna , medical / dermatological assessment of age spots is recommended.
Consistent daily application of sun protection creams with a high sun protection factor is recommended to prevent age spots. If keratoses occur , dermatologists also recommend using creams with diclofenac sodium gel as an active ingredient.
See also
literature
- Ingrid Moll (Ed.): Dermatology. 6th edition, Thieme, Stuttgart / New York 2005, ISBN 3-13-126686-4 .
