No treatment, or treatment with an emollient only, is considered satisfactory for mild AKs. Single AKs can be treated using targeted treatment such as:

Curettage €“ surgical removal of the lesion

Cryotherapy €“ freezing the lesion with liquid nitrogen

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) €“ applying a photosensitiser, methyl aminolevulinate (Metvix) and exposing the area to red light

Topical medicines such as 5-fluorouracil (5FU) either as Efudix (5FU 5%) or Actikerall (5FU 0.5% + 10% salicylic acid).

For multiple lesions (field change) topical diclofenac, ingenol mebutate or imiquimod is recommended. All topical treatments for AKs are directed at destroying the sun-damaged cells so they all, to a greater or lesser extent, induce inflammation in the skin. The skin may weep, then crust or scab over.

The area may also be itchy or painful. This is caused by the abnormal cells dying and is a sign that the treatment is working. This is something that patients need to be aware of because it may be important for the timing of treatment.