Hyperkeratosis

Hyperkeratosis is a skin condition which makes the outer layer of your skin thicker, mostly occurring in females with brown skin. It is caused by too much buildup of keratin in the outer layers of skin. The thickening of this skin defends it from rubbing, irritation as well as pressure. Most of the types of this skin condition are painless. While hyperkeratosis can happen anyplace on the body, several regions are typically more prone.

Symptoms of Hyperkeratosis

Symptoms of this condition usually depend upon the form of hyperkeratosis. Calluses, corns, and plantar warts can be quite painful. In some individuals, they may be because of their unsightliness.

In most cases, hyperkeratosis develops on its own without any apparent cause. In these instances, hyperkeratosis starts typically quickly after birth as a portion of a disorder that is genetic.

Depending on the cause and location, hyperkeratotic skin can also be known as calluses or corns, which is when skin stiffens on the toes, palms or soles following continually irritation possibly ancillary to the wearing of shoes that are too tight in the case of the feet; or warts, which are bumpy small skin thickenings triggered by HPV or human papillomavirus, happening anyplace on the body but most often on the feet, face, hands or parts of recurrent contact.

Hyperkeratosis can look:

• Itchy, scaly patches, bluish-purple – Lichen planus
• Whitish spots in the mouth due to friction from dentures
• Chronic inflammation of the skin known as eczema triggered by irritating allergies, chemicals, or other factors
• Scaly dry skin with areas of color changes
• Hair loss.
• Red, flat coarse skin patches – actinic keratosis
• Small harmless brown or black skin growth of unknown causes

Causes

Hyperkeratosis is a form of keratosis. Keratosis is a disorder of the skin caused by the overproduction of keratin. Hyperkeratosis is linked with the qualitative abnormality of the keratin and causes thickening of the stratum corneum or the horny layer of the skin. Thickening of this layer causes the granular layer to thicken also. This is usually due to constant rubbing, friction together as well as applied pressure. This causes the skin to harden. The chronic pressure in tissue causes the production of keratin to counter the friction. This is basically a defense mechanism of the body that protects the skin from wearing out. It affects different body regions like the elbow, palms, soles of the feet, knees as they are the areas most subjected to pressure.

It is also believed that hyperkeratosis is caused by the deficiency of vitamin A and chronic exposure to arsenic.

Treatment

Any treatment of hyperkeratosis usually depends on the cause, location, type as well as severity. Many therapies have a goal of softening the keratin as well as removing the thickened skin. This can be accomplished with topical creams containing salicylic acid, together with urea, Tretinoin, lactic or glycolic acid as an active ingredient. On brown skin, hyperkeratosis is generally linked to discoloration and skin lightening cream can also be used.

Salicylic acid that is one of the more common medications for hyperkeratosis is a keratolytic agent( which means it breaks up or lyses the keratin). It also enhances shedding of the thickened skin and softens it. One prescription form of salicylic acid is Salex Cream or Lotion, and is time-released as opposed to being spike-released, reduces the loss of water from the skin as well as increases hydration of the skin.

Urea topical lotions, as well as creams, treat hyperkeratosis by increasing water content in the skin, therefore, softening it. Urea can also break up or lyses components of the keratin. The alpha-hydroxy acids, glycolic and lactic acid exfoliate the layers of thick keratin as well as also add moisture to the skin. Finally, Tretinoin is used in the treatment of hyperkeratosis by increasing the shedding of the thickened skin.

Other treatments depending on the location or type include:

Calluses or corns

Use of padding or moleskin next to the area that is affected may help to relieve any pain.

Warts

Removal by freezing with liquid nitrogen – cryosurgery, vaporizing them with a laser as well as trimming them away surgically.

Chronic eczema

Corticosteroid ointment or cream rubbed into the affected area

Lichen planus

Corticosteroid creams or ointment

Actinic keratoses

Your doctor may use cryosurgery to remove just a single spot of actinic keratosis. Multiple areas of keratosis can be treated with laser therapy, skin peels or dermabrasion.

Seborrheic keratosis

Removed with a scalpel or by using cryosurgery

Inherited conditions

No cure for conditions that are inherited. To manage large areas, bathe with bath oil or rub special emollients into the skin.

Hyperkeratosis Pictures