FRIDAY, March 26 (HealthDay News) — Zyclara topical cream (imiquimod 3.75 percent) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat actinic keratoses (AKs), a precancerous condition that’s commonly found on skin frequently exposed to the sun.
AKs — sometimes confused with eczema or psoriasis — are small, red patches of skin that also may be scaly or rough, drug maker Graceway Pharmaceuticals said. They are most often found on the face, bald scalp, hands, shoulders and arms. Some 10 million Americans have the condition, which tends to recur, the company said in a news release.
AKs should be treated without delay, since they may progress to a form of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. In clinical testing involving people with five to 20 AKs on the face or scalp, Zyclara reduced the total number of AKs by 82 percent, the news release said.
The most common side effects reported were local skin reactions with redness, scabbing or crusting, and sores or ulcers.
More information
To learn more about actinic keratoses, visit the Skin Cancer Foundation.