Actinic keratosis: a case of sun damage in the Tropics

Abstract

46 year old Nigerian farmer previously a timber merchant presented at the dermatological clinic of our Teaching Hospital in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He was referred from a private hospital for an expert’s evaluation and management. He gave a six year history of a progressively growing mass on the left thumb. This started as an itchy hypo-pigment patch on the left palm and gradually spread to involve the dorsui.. and palmar surface of the thumb. There was no preceding history of burns or any other form of trauma. The patient later noticed a painful growth on the hypo-pigment scarred patch and this continued to increase in size creating an ugly spiky mass. There were no systemic symptoms but the embarrassment and incapacitation caused by the craggy mass made him desperate to seek expert care. Previous treatment he received included topical applications of sulfur and penicillin ointments and also a course of systemic penicillin.