Seborrheic keratosis is a very common noncancerous skin growth that often appears in middle age or later. These spots can look waxy, rough, or stuck onto the skin, and many people have no symptoms, though some notice itching or irritation from clothing. The early symptoms of seborrheic keratosis are often just a new raised spot or a slowly darkening patch, and the growths usually last unless they are removed. Not everyone will have the same experience. Seborrheic keratosis does not raise mortality because it is benign, and treatment is usually only needed if a spot becomes bothersome, bleeds from rubbing, or needs to be checked or removed with simple office procedures.
How many people live with Seborrheic keratosis?
Worldwide, there is no single recent, reliable head count for seborrheic keratosis, partly because these very common, harmless skin growths are often never formally recorded. In the United States, widely cited estimates suggest that more than 80 million people have one or more seborrheic keratoses (American Academy of Dermatology Association, 2024).
Overview
Seborrheic keratosisSymptoms
Seborrheic keratosis usually causes harmless skin growths that look waxy, rough, or stuck on. They can be tan, brown, or black, and some may itch, feel irritated by clothing, or become tender if rubbed.
Outlook and prognosis
Seborrheic keratosis is benign and does not turn into skin cancer. Many living with seborrheic keratosis do well long term, though new spots can appear over time, and some may choose removal if lesions itch, catch on clothing, or bother them.
Causes and risk factors
The exact cause of seborrheic keratosis is unclear. Risk rises with age, family history, and possibly long-term sun exposure, and these growths are more common after midlife and in people who tend to develop many similar spots.
Genetic influences
Genetics may play a part in seborrheic keratosis, especially when it runs in families. Still, age and skin aging seem more important than any single gene change.
Diagnosis
Seborrheic keratosis is usually diagnosed during a skin exam based on its appearance. A dermatologist may use a handheld magnifier with light to look more closely. If it looks unusual, a small sample may be removed and tested.
Treatment and drugs
Seborrheic keratosis often does not need treatment unless it gets irritated, catches on clothing, or bothers you cosmetically. A clinician can remove it with freezing, gentle scraping, or a small electric current. New or changing spots should be checked first.
Symptoms
Seborrheic keratosis often causes more of a skin change than a true symptom, and many spots do not hurt at all. You might notice small changes at first, such as a rough, waxy bump that seems stuck onto the skin. Some growths itch, catch on clothing, or become sore when rubbed, especially on the chest, back, scalp, or face. The early symptoms of seborrheic keratosis can be easy to confuse with other skin spots, so a new or changing lesion is worth having checked.
Many spots look as if they are sitting on top of the skin rather than growing from deep within it. They often have a clear border that makes the edges easy to see.
The surface often feels waxy, rough, velvety, or slightly crumbly. Some begin fairly flat and later become thicker or more raised.
Seborrheic keratosis can be tan, brown, gray, or very dark, and the color is not always even across the spot. One growth may also look lighter or darker than another nearby.
Some spots itch on and off, especially when the skin is dry or the area is rubbed a lot. Scratching can make the skin more irritated and uncomfortable.
How people usually first notice Seborrheic keratosis?
Many people first notice seborrheic keratosis as a new spot on the skin that looks stuck on, waxy, or slightly raised, often in shades of tan, brown, black, or sometimes skin-colored. One of the first signs of seborrheic keratosis is that the spot slowly thickens over time and may feel rough, crumbly, or wart-like, even though it is usually painless. Some also notice mild itching or irritation, especially if clothing rubs against it, which is often what brings the growth to attention.
Types of Seborrheic keratosis
Seborrheic keratosis can show up in a few different ways, and the spots do not always look identical from person to person. Some are larger and waxy, some are tiny and rough, and others become inflamed and itchy after rubbing on clothing or jewelry. When doctors talk about the types of seborrheic keratosis, they usually mean these well-recognized clinical variations rather than stages of disease.
Common type
This is the classic form, often seen as a tan, brown, or black growth with a waxy or stuck-on look. It may feel slightly rough or velvety and usually does not cause symptoms, though some people notice mild itching or irritation.
Stucco keratoses
These are small, dry, light-colored bumps that often appear in clusters on the lower legs, ankles, or feet. Many living with this type notice they feel more flaky and rough than the usual thicker seborrheic keratosis spots.
Dermatosis papulosa nigra
This variant causes many small, dark, smooth or slightly rough bumps, most often on the face or neck. It is more common in people with darker skin tones and is usually painless, though some may find it cosmetically bothersome.
Irritated type
This form becomes red, tender, itchy, or crusted, often after rubbing, scratching, or catching on clothing. It can look more inflamed than other seborrheic keratosis spots, which is one reason it may need a closer medical check.
Melanoacanthoma
This is a darker, more heavily pigmented variant that can grow quickly and may look alarming at first. Symptoms are often minimal, but because it can resemble other dark skin growths, a clinician may examine it more carefully.
Can I slow down the onset of symptoms?
No, there is no proven way to meaningfully slow or prevent the start of seborrheic keratosis. These common, harmless skin growths seem to be mostly linked to aging and family tendency, and while protecting your skin from too much sun is good for overall skin health, it has not been clearly shown to reduce the risk of seborrheic keratosis or prevent it. The good news is that they are usually not dangerous, and if a spot is new, changing, or bothering you, a doctor can check it and talk with you about simple treatment options if needed.
What genetics can tell you about symptoms
Genetics can partly explain why seborrheic keratoses seem to run in some families, and why some people develop many of these harmless, stuck-on skin growths while others get only a few or none. In general, inherited differences may influence the tendency to develop them, how many appear, and sometimes the age they start, but they do not reliably predict exactly where they will show up or whether they will itch, get irritated, or stay unnoticed. Most symptoms and day-to-day changes are also shaped by age and skin factors over time, so genetics gives only part of the picture.
Causes and risk factors
Doctors do not know the exact cause of seborrheic keratosis, but it becomes much more common with age. Family history matters, and some risks are written in our DNA, passed down through families. People with lighter skin seem to develop seborrheic keratosis more often, although it can affect any skin tone. Sun exposure may play a part in some people, but these growths can also appear on skin that is usually covered. When people ask about the causes of seborrheic keratosis, there are no proven lifestyle habits that directly cause it.
What are the most common causes or risk factors?
The exact cause of seborrheic keratosis is not fully known, but the biggest risk factors are getting older and having a family history of these growths, which suggests a strong inherited tendency. They often start showing up in middle age or later, and many living with them notice that more appear over time. Long-term sun exposure may also play a role, especially on skin that gets a lot of sun, although these growths can also appear on covered areas.
Environmental and biological risk factors
Seborrheic keratosis often shows up as new stuck-on growths that seem to appear more with time, especially in midlife and later. Doctors often group risks into internal (biological) and external (environmental). For seborrheic keratosis, the clearest biological risk is older age, while sun exposure may contribute in some people but is not needed for these growths to develop.
Seborrheic keratosis becomes much more common with age. These growths are unusual in children and tend to appear from middle age onward.
Seborrheic keratosis can affect any skin tone, but the classic form is diagnosed more often in people with lighter skin. In darker skin, similar growths may look smaller or appear in clusters, especially on the face.
Regular ultraviolet light exposure may contribute to some seborrheic keratoses, particularly on skin that gets more sun over the years. Still, these spots also arise on covered areas, so sun is only part of the picture.
Some people notice new seborrheic keratoses during times of hormonal change, such as pregnancy. The link is not as strong as age, but body changes may influence when these growths become more noticeable.
Genetic risk factors
Seborrheic keratosis often runs in families, so genes seem to influence who develops these common, harmless skin growths. It’s usually a combination of influences rather than one clear cause. When people ask about the genetic causes of seborrheic keratosis, the answer is usually an inherited tendency rather than one faulty gene. Many individual growths also pick up small DNA changes in their own skin cells.
Family history: Seborrheic keratosis often appears in several people within the same family, which makes family history one of the clearest genetic risk factors. If close relatives have many of these growths or develop them earlier, your own chances may be higher.
Several genes: Most cases do not follow a simple pattern caused by one inherited gene acting alone. Instead, risk likely reflects several small inherited differences that affect how skin cells grow and mature.
Skin-cell mutations: Many seborrheic keratosis growths contain DNA changes that arise in the skin cells of the spot itself. These changes can help drive the growth, but they are usually not inherited from a parent and do not mean the spot is cancer.
Pigmentation traits: Certain seborrheic keratosis patterns are more common in people with darker skin, which suggests a role for inherited traits linked to skin pigmentation. This is a tendency, not a rule, and seborrheic keratosis can affect people across all skin tones.
Lifestyle risk factors
There are no well-proven lifestyle habits that directly cause seborrheic keratosis. When people ask about lifestyle risk factors for seborrheic keratosis, the main point is that daily habits are more likely to affect irritation, inflammation, and how noticeable the spots become than to trigger new growths. Diet and exercise have no clear direct link to developing these lesions, but habits that increase rubbing or delay skin review can make management harder.
Repeated rubbing from tight clothing, waistbands, bras, or skin folds can irritate seborrheic keratosis spots. Irritated lesions may itch more, become inflamed, or catch on clothing and feel more bothersome.
Scratching, picking, or shaving over these growths can make them bleed or become sore. This does not cause seborrheic keratosis itself, but it can worsen symptoms and lead to crusting or secondary infection.
Strong exfoliants, aggressive scrubbing, or irritating skin products can inflame raised lesions. That irritation may make seborrheic keratoses look redder, feel tender, or be mistaken for a changing skin problem.
Higher body weight can increase skin fold friction and sweating, especially under the breasts, in the groin, or around the waist. In these areas, seborrheic keratoses may become more irritated and uncomfortable.
Risk prevention
Seborrheic keratosis usually cannot be fully prevented, because these common noncancerous skin growths often develop with age and personal skin tendencies. Still, some habits may help lower the chance of new spots or reduce irritation and confusion with other skin problems. Prevention is about lowering risk, not eliminating it completely. For many, this means protecting the skin, avoiding trauma to existing growths, and getting new or changing spots checked.
Limiting too much sun may help reduce skin damage that could play a role in seborrheic keratosis for some people. Use shade, protective clothing, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on exposed skin.
Regularly looking at your skin can help you notice new growths early and spot changes that do not fit the usual pattern of seborrheic keratosis. Because the early signs of seborrheic keratosis can sometimes look like other skin conditions, a clinician should check any spot that bleeds, grows quickly, or has uneven color.
Scratching, rubbing, or picking at these growths can make them sore, inflamed, or crusted. If a spot catches on clothing or jewelry, keeping the area protected and asking about safe removal can help prevent repeated irritation.
Ongoing rubbing from waistbands, bra straps, or tight collars may irritate existing seborrheic keratosis and make it more noticeable day to day. Softer fabrics and looser fits may help if certain spots are in high-friction areas.
Can you prevent Seborrheic keratosis?
No, seborrheic keratoses cannot usually be fully prevented, because they often develop as people get older and may run in families. Sun exposure may play a role for some people, so protecting your skin with shade, clothing, and sunscreen is sensible for overall skin health, but it is not a proven way to stop these growths from forming.
Transmission
Seborrheic keratosis is not infectious, so it cannot be transferred from one person to another. You cannot catch seborrheic keratosis by touching the spots, sharing towels or bedding, swimming, or through sex.
There can be a family tendency, so genetics may partly explain why some people develop more of these harmless skin growths than others. Even so, how seborrheic keratosis is inherited is not simple, and many people develop them with age even without a clear family history.
When to test your genes
For seborrheic keratosis, genetic testing is not recommended because these common, benign skin growths are not inherited in a way that guides screening or treatment. What matters more is a skin exam if a spot changes quickly, bleeds, becomes painful, or looks unlike your other growths, because that can point to a different diagnosis.
Diagnosis
Seborrheic keratosis is usually diagnosed during a skin exam because these growths often have a very recognizable look and feel. Many living with seborrheic keratosis notice a waxy, stuck-on spot that slowly appears on the chest, back, face, or scalp. Doctors usually begin with a close look at the skin, and the diagnosis of seborrheic keratosis is often made without extensive testing. If a spot looks unusual, changes quickly, or bleeds easily, extra testing may be needed to rule out skin cancer.
A clinician looks at the size, color, texture, and borders of the growth and checks whether it has the typical stuck-on, warty, or waxy appearance. They also look at the rest of the skin, since people with seborrheic keratosis often have more than one spot.
Your doctor may ask when the spot first appeared, whether it has changed, and if it itches, rubs on clothing, or bleeds after minor irritation. A brief history helps separate seborrheic keratosis from irritated moles, warts, or other common skin growths.
This is a close-up skin exam using a handheld lighted magnifier that helps doctors see surface patterns not visible to the naked eye. These imaging findings can support the diagnosis and may reduce the need for a biopsy when the spot has classic features.
If the growth is very dark, inflamed, crusted, rapidly changing, or otherwise atypical, your provider may remove part or all of it for lab testing. This is the main way to confirm the diagnosis when there is concern about melanoma or another skin cancer.
How is Seborrheic keratosis diagnosed?
Seborrheic keratosis is usually diagnosed during a skin exam, because these growths often have a very typical look and feel, such as a waxy, stuck-on surface. A doctor or skin specialist may look at it more closely with a special lighted magnifier to see details that help confirm what it is. If the spot looks unusual, has changed quickly, bleeds, or could be confused with skin cancer, they may remove a small piece or the whole spot and check it under a microscope.
Stages of Seborrheic keratosis
Seborrheic keratosis does not have defined progression stages. This is because these skin growths do not usually follow a steady pattern of worsening through set phases, even though they may slowly enlarge, darken, or new spots can appear over time. Doctors usually start with a conversation about when the spot appeared, whether it has changed, and whether there are symptoms like itching or irritation. If the diagnosis is not clear, especially when a spot has features that can overlap with early symptoms of skin cancer, a skin exam and sometimes a small biopsy may be used to confirm that it is seborrheic keratosis.
Outlook and prognosis
The outlook for people with seborrheic keratosis is excellent, because these growths are benign and do not turn into skin cancer. They often persist or slowly increase in number with age, but they usually cause no medical harm beyond irritation, itching, or cosmetic concern. Treatment such as cryotherapy, curettage, or laser removal is typically effective when lesions are bothersome, although new spots can appear over time. Mortality is not increased by seborrheic keratosis itself, and the condition does not shorten life expectancy. A clinician may reassess lesions that change rapidly, bleed, or look atypical, since other skin conditions can sometimes mimic seborrheic keratosis. Rarely, the sudden onset of many lesions at once may prompt evaluation for an underlying illness, but for most people the long-term prognosis remains very good.
Long-term effects
Seborrheic keratosis is usually a long-lasting but harmless skin growth, and for many people the main effect is that spots stay in place or slowly increase over time. The long-term picture is often more about appearance, irritation, or uncertainty than about danger, because these growths do not turn into skin cancer. Many living with seborrheic keratosis notice that new spots can appear with age, especially on the chest, back, face, or scalp.
Seborrheic keratosis often stays on the skin unless it is removed, and individual growths may slowly thicken or become more raised over time. Many people notice small adjustments—like catching a spot on clothing or jewelry—as these areas become more textured.
Over the years, many people develop additional seborrheic keratosis growths rather than just one isolated spot. This can mean the overall number becomes more noticeable in midlife and older age, even though each growth is still benign.
Some growths can rub against waistbands, bra straps, collars, or shaving areas and become itchy, tender, or mildly inflamed. When this happens, the long-term effect is usually discomfort that comes and goes rather than damage to deeper skin.
For many, seborrheic keratosis can affect comfort with their appearance, especially when spots are large, dark, or on visible areas like the face. A growth may look stuck on the skin or wart-like, which can feel upsetting even when it is medically harmless.
How is it to live with Seborrheic keratosis?
Living with seborrheic keratosis often means noticing rough, waxy growths on the skin that can catch your attention in the mirror, rub on clothing, or sometimes itch, but they are benign and do not turn into a health threat for most people. For many, the biggest impact is cosmetic or emotional rather than physical, especially if the spots are on visible areas like the face, chest, or back, and some may choose removal if they become irritated or bothersome. It does not spread from person to person, so it poses no risk to family, friends, or close contacts, though loved ones may simply need reassurance that these growths are common with aging and are usually harmless.
Treatment and drugs
Seborrheic keratosis is usually harmless, so treatment is only needed if a spot is bothering you, catching on clothing, bleeding after rubbing, or looking unusual enough that a doctor wants to check it more closely. Many people choose removal because the growth itches, feels rough, or gets irritated when shaving or wearing a bra strap or waistband. Common treatment for seborrheic keratosis includes freezing the spot with liquid nitrogen, gently scraping it off, or using heat or a laser to remove it. Some treatments may leave temporary redness, a scab, or a lighter or darker mark on the skin, especially in people with darker skin tones. Your doctor can help weigh the pros and cons of each option.
Can you cure Seborrheic keratosis?
There is no cure that stops seborrheic keratosis from developing, but the spots that are already there can usually be removed. If they itch, get irritated, catch on clothing, or bother you because of how they look, a doctor may treat them by freezing them, gently scraping them off, or carefully burning them away. New spots can still appear later, so treatment removes existing growths rather than curing the tendency to get them.
Non-drug treatment
Many people living with seborrheic keratosis do not need treatment unless a spot gets irritated, catches on clothing, bleeds, or feels bothersome because of how it looks. The main non-drug options are simple office procedures that remove or flatten the growth. Not every approach works the same way, and the best choice often depends on the size, thickness, color, and location of the spot, as well as your skin tone and scarring risk. If a growth changes quickly or no longer looks typical for seborrheic keratosis, a clinician may suggest removal so it can be checked more closely.
Many seborrheic keratosis spots can simply be monitored if they are not causing problems. This is often the best approach for harmless growths that stay stable over time.
Freezing the growth with liquid nitrogen can make it dry up and fall off over days to weeks. This is commonly used for smaller or thinner seborrheic keratosis spots and may leave a lighter mark, especially on darker skin.
A clinician can gently scrape off the raised spot after numbing the area. This is often used when a growth is thicker or when the removed tissue needs closer examination.
Heat from a small electric device can remove or destroy the growth after the skin is numbed. It is often paired with scraping to smooth the area and reduce leftover tissue.
Your genes may have an impact on how drugs work for you
For seborrheic keratosis, genetic differences are not known to meaningfully change how people respond to the treatments most often used, because these spots are usually removed with office procedures like freezing or scraping rather than long-term medicine. In some cases, a liquid treatment may be used on the skin, but there is no well-established evidence that inherited gene changes reliably predict who will respond better or have more side effects. In other words, for people with seborrheic keratosis, treatment choices are usually based on the spot’s size, location, and appearance, not on genetic testing.
Pharmacological treatments
Seborrheic keratosis usually does not need medication, and many growths are treated with simple office procedures instead. When treatment is wanted because a spot is irritated, itchy, or bothersome, the main drug option is a topical hydrogen peroxide solution applied by a clinician. For many people looking into treatment for seborrheic keratosis, it helps to know that creams, pills, and home remedies are not standard medical treatment.
A 40% hydrogen peroxide solution can be applied directly to some raised seborrheic keratoses in a medical setting. It may help certain spots gradually crust and fall away, but it often takes more than one treatment and can cause temporary stinging, redness, or color changes in the skin.
There are no standard oral medicines used to treat seborrheic keratosis. If a spot is changing, bleeding, or looks unusual, a doctor may recommend checking the diagnosis rather than trying medication.
Prescription or over-the-counter creams are not usually reliable for removing seborrheic keratosis. Many living with seborrheic keratosis find that freezing, scraping, or cautery is more commonly offered than drug treatment.
Genetic influences
If these waxy skin growths seem to show up in several relatives, it makes sense to wonder whether seborrheic keratosis runs in families. It’s natural to ask whether family history plays a role. Seborrheic keratosis is not usually caused by one single inherited gene in the way some rare genetic skin conditions are, but inherited traits may make some people more likely to develop these spots. Age is a major factor, and sun exposure may also play a part, so genetics is only part of the picture. Many seborrheic keratosis growths appear after gene changes develop in skin cells over time, rather than from a gene change you were born with. So, having a parent or sibling with seborrheic keratosis can raise your chances, but it does not mean you will definitely get it or that your spots will look the same as theirs.
Is Seborrheic keratosis genetic?
Genetics may play a part in seborrheic keratosis, especially when it runs in families. Still, age and skin aging seem more important than any single gene change.
Having a genetic risk is not necessarily a diagnosis
Changes in genes, often called genetic variants, are a usual part of human biology and are found in many people. Most do not directly affect health and are simply part of normal human diversity. For many genes, having a variant associated with a condition suggests a possible link rather than a certain diagnosis, especially when several genes and environmental factors are involved. Still, in some cases, one well-characterized variant in a particular gene is enough to confirm a diagnosis.
Pharmacogenetics—how genetics influence drug effects
If a rough, stuck-on spot is rubbing on clothing, itching, or bothering you in the mirror, treatment is usually chosen based on where it is, how it looks, and whether it needs to be removed to make sure it is harmless. For seborrheic keratosis, genetics seem to matter more in who tends to develop these growths than in how doctors treat them. Many people with seborrheic keratosis notice similar spots in close relatives, which suggests an inherited tendency, but there is no routine genetic test that helps doctors choose treatment. Not every difference in response is genetic, but for seborrheic keratosis, treatment is usually a local skin treatment, such as freezing or removal in the office, rather than a medicine whose effect depends strongly on drug-processing genes. That means pharmacogenetic testing is not part of standard care, and the best treatment for seborrheic keratosis is usually based on the size and number of spots, symptoms, skin tone, and whether the growth could be another skin condition.
Interactions with other conditions
Seborrheic keratosis usually does not directly interact with other diseases in the way an infection or autoimmune condition might, but it can still complicate the bigger picture of skin health. Having more than one diagnosis can make symptoms feel harder to untangle, especially if someone also has eczema, psoriasis, or a history of skin cancer and is trying to figure out which spot is causing itching, scaling, or irritation. In everyday life, this can mean a rough brown growth on the back or chest gets blamed for a rash nearby, or a new skin change is mistaken for seborrheic keratosis when it needs a closer look. Seborrheic keratosis itself is benign and does not turn into skin cancer, but some skin cancers can resemble it, so changes such as bleeding, rapid growth, pain, or a very different appearance deserve medical review. Rarely, a sudden appearance of many seborrheic keratoses at once may be linked with an internal illness, including some cancers, although this is uncommon and not the usual explanation. If you are wondering about the early symptoms of seborrheic keratosis versus another skin condition, a dermatologist can help sort out what is harmless, what is irritated, and what should be tested further.
How genes can cause diseases
Humans have more than 20,000 genes, each carrying out one or a few specific functions in the body. One gene instructs the body to digest lactose from milk, another tells the body how to build strong bones and another prevents the body's cells from beginning to multiply uncontrollably and developing into cancer. As all of these genes combined are the building instructions for our body, a defect in one of these genes can have severe health consequences.
Through decades of genetic research, we know the genetic code of any healthy/functional human gene. We have also identified that in certain positions on a gene, some individuals may have a different genetic letter from the one you have. We call these hotspots "Genetic Variations" or "Variants" in short. In many cases, studies have been able to show that having the genetic letter "G" in the position makes you healthy, but having the letter "A" in the same position disrupts the gene function and causes a disease. Genopedia allows you to view these variants in genes and summarizes all that we know from scientific research, which genetic letters (Genotype) have good or bad consequences on your health or on your traits.
What other conditions can cause similar symptoms to Seborrheic keratosis?
Seborrheic keratosis can be mistaken for warts, moles, and rough sun-damaged spots, especially when a growth is brown, raised, or has a scaly surface. Some skin cancers can also look similar, including melanoma and the more common basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers, especially if a spot is new, grows quickly, has more than one color, or bleeds. Because of this, a changing or unusual skin growth should be checked by a doctor.
History
Seborrheic keratosis has likely been familiar to people for a very long time, even before it had a formal medical name. These common noncancerous skin growths often appear in midlife or later, and many living with seborrheic keratosis first notice them in ordinary moments, such as while drying off after a shower or spotting a rough brown patch in the mirror that was not there a few years earlier. Early doctors described growths like these based on how they looked and felt, especially their waxy, stuck-on appearance.
In recent decades, awareness has grown as skin care and skin cancer screening became more common, and that helped doctors separate seborrheic keratosis from other spots that may need closer attention. Earlier medical descriptions sometimes grouped many raised or pigmented skin lesions together, simply because there were fewer tools to tell them apart. As dermatology developed, doctors became better at recognizing the typical features of seborrheic keratosis and reassuring people that these growths are benign, even though they can sometimes look worrying at first glance.
The history of seborrheic keratosis is also tied to the broader story of how medicine learned to classify skin conditions more carefully. What once might have been dismissed as just an “age spot” or an unimportant skin change is now understood in more detail, including why these growths are so common and why they can vary in color, size, and texture. Today, if someone develops new or changing spots, doctors can usually identify the classic signs of seborrheic keratosis during a skin exam, while also watching for features that suggest something else. Knowing this history helps explain why early symptoms of seborrheic keratosis can still cause confusion for many people, even though the condition itself is now well recognized.