How is actinic keratosis usually diagnosed?

Clinical exam: Actinic keratoses are early precancerous lesions caused primarily by sun exposure over time. They are usually diagnosed by your dermatologist on clinical exam. In some cases a more advanced lesion may be biopsied to make sure it has not progressed to skin cancer.

Texture: Actinic keratoses, which are pre-malignant skin lesions caused by exposure to ultraviolet light (sun or tanning bed) , have a characteristic "scratchy, " sharp texture which is hard to confuse with anything else. Most "skin doctors" can identify these by how they look and feel. They are so common in sunny parts of the world that most doctors are familiar with them. No special test is needed.