Out with the Old and in with the New. No need to live with seborrheic keratosis - "wisdom spots"

Overtime most everyone will develop one of these little scaly, crusty, warty annoying little growths referred to as a seborrheic keratosis. Many physicians refer to these as "barnacles of old age", I prefer "wisdom spots".

Actually about 25% of young adults ages 18 to 34 have their first wisdom spots. They can be gray, yellow, brown, flesh toned and less often black.

Harmless as they may be, the desire to have them gone is common. There are many options including a brand new topical applied at your dermatologists' office called Eskata.

Eskata has been recently approved. It is applied directly to the SKs at your dermatologists' office. One application results in about 65% of SKs falling off As it is new cost is not well established but will likely be moderate.

Freezing with liquid nitrogen is still, and likely will remain, the most common technique. It will still be likely more cost effective, but stings, blisters and can lead to some temporary or permanent discoloration of the skin.

Curettage is an option. For the fewer larger spots we can numb the skin and lightly "sand off" the SKs.

But what can you do at home. Well, there are options. My favorite, that my patients introduced me to is applying topical oregano oil and frankincense oil Applying oregano oil creates an inflamed reddened area and over a few weeks peels off about 50% of the spots treated. Nice and simple, but the order is that of a great Greek or Italian kitchen.