Diagnosis of Actinic Keratosis
In many cases, a person will notice the small patch of skin that develops with this condition. As with all skin changes or newly discovered bumps, a person should see their doctor, as soon as possible, to help catch any problems early.

A doctor or dermatologist is likely to be able to diagnose actinic keratosis with a simple visual examination. If in any doubt, a skin biopsy may be done where a small sample of the affected skin is examined in a lab.

The sample is often taken during the same doctor or dermatologist's visit as the visual examination and requires only a numbing injection.