What Are Actinic Keratoses? Actinic keratoses (AKs) are a common skin condition characterized by rough, red, scaly patches, crusts, or sores on the top layer of skin (see Figures 1 & 2).

These scaly scabs are usually extremely itchy ... potential cause for scalp scabs is skin cancer, since skin cancer may present as lesions that bleed and won't heal, leaving scabs, says Williams.

thereby forming a crusty scab. The scab is grey-white and noticeably higher than the surrounding skin. Infection spreads from the center outwards and results in the circular lesion 1 to 1.5 inches in ...