Keratosis: what is it? How to treat keratosis?

Keratosis is a skin disease that is more of a genetic nature, but can arise from a number of external factors. Diseases are susceptible to both adults and children. Methods of treating large and small patients are different. How to prevent the development of complications of the disease, for what reasons there is keratosis, symptoms and treatment of pathology - the reader will find information on these and other issues in our article.

What is keratosis?

To keratosis carry the whole group of dermatological diseases, the most characteristic manifestation of which is the thickening of the epidermis. Pathology does not have the viral nature of origin, but rather is the result of a certain set of provoking factors. These include:

• Dryness of the skin, which is considered the main cause of the pathology. If the skin is not moistened, the dead scales will not properly peel, thus creating a fertile soil for the onset of a painful condition. The cause of dryness can be frequent use of household detergents, as well as the abuse of tan (ultraviolet dry skin);
• A deficiency in the body of vitamins A, C, E can cause a violation of metabolic processes and lead to keratosis;
• The intake of hormonal drugs generates cell renewal and leads to the onset of the disease. The pathological state can also appear during puberty in adolescents, as well as during pregnancy, when hormonal changes in the body occur and the production of keratin increases;
• The cause of keratosis can be diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as stress, which causes a deficiency of vitamin B in the body, the lack of which leads to dry skin.

Interrelation with oncology

Surely many have heard of a disease such as keratosis. What it is, however, is not everyone. In fact, pathology leads to the appearance on the human skin of the kerat - benign neoplasms (single or multiple). To date, the opinions of specialists about the disease and the causes of its occurrence are ambiguous, the doctors divided into two camps. Some argue that the causes leading to the appearance of the disease are purely genetic. Others do not exclude the involvement of the factors mentioned above in the occurrence of pathology. Accordingly, the answers to questions about how to treat keratosis will also vary.

Anyway, there is a relationship between keratosis and skin cancer. The keratoma is benign in nature, however, it is not uncommon for cancer cells to develop in its structures. Neoplasms are hardly distinguishable from each other, therefore it is visually difficult to determine the type of pathology (cancer or keratosis). That this will help to establish only a histological examination. To the procedure in almost all cases resorted to the diagnosis.

Multiple foci of keratosis may indicate the presence of cancer in internal organs. There is a certain statistics, according to which among 9 thousand patients with keratoma examined, in 900 people various forms of skin cancer were detected.

Classification

The disease "keratosis" is divided into groups according to various signs. For example, by the nature of origin, the following are distinguished:

• Symptomatic keratosis - pathology occurs against the background of other diseases, as well as under the influence of unfavorable environmental factors;
• Hereditary keratosis is a pathology that is formed for genetic reasons and manifests, as a rule, at an early age or immediately after birth;
• Acquired keratosis is a disease whose causes are not fully understood.

Depending on how the keratomas are manifested on the body, distinguish:

• Localized keratosis - the disease affects a certain area (area) of the skin;
• Diffuse keratosis - the disease covers the entire body or very large areas of the skin.

Also highlight:

• Follicular keratosis, in which foci of disease (horny plugs) form at the hair follicle;
• Actinic keratosis is uneven, rough spots on the skin, which are gradually transformed into scaly foci from the color of normal skin tone to reddish-brown;
• Seborrheic keratosis is a nodal formation, covered with horny scales of dark color.

Types of seborrheic keratosis

Seborrheic keratosis is also divided into several forms:

1. The illustration below reflects the keratoma, which rises slightly above the surface of the skin and is characterized by a strong pigment - it is a pathology called "flat keratosis" (photo). Treatment of such a neoplasm is surgically removed;
2. Annoyed keratosis is a kind of disease in which internal structures of benign formation contain large clusters of lymphocytes. The tumor content can be determined only by histological analysis;
3. Adenoid keratosis - manifestations of the disease in the form of a network of thin pigmented cells;
4. Light-celled melanoacanthoma is a rare variety of keratosis, which is manifested by warty formations that have a rounded shape and are similar to wet plaques. Melanoanthomas predominate mainly on the lower limbs;
5. Lichenoid keratosis. What it is? A pathology in which a neoplasm is characterized by inflammatory changes and is similar in appearance to mycosis or erythematous disease in lupus erythematosus. Similar foci on the skin can also occur with red flat lice.

Other forms of keratosis

Medical practice is also known:

• Keratotic papilloma,
• Cutaneous horn,
• Clonal keratosis.

Keratotic papilloma is a form of pathology that manifests itself in small formations consisting of single cysts with inclusions from horny cells;

The cutaneous horn is a form of keratosis, which is considered quite rare. There is a pathology protruding over the surface of the skin integument from corpuscles of conditional-cylindrical form. The disease affects mainly the elderly. Swollen, which can be different in size, are classified into two subspecies:

• Primary - according to the type of this pathology there is not enough information, it can manifest itself spontaneously, without any apparent reasons;
• Secondary - pathology occurs against the background of the inflammatory process in other skin formations. It is this form of the cutaneous horn that can degenerate into malignant formation under the influence of viruses or micro-traumas;

Clonal keratosis. What it is? This type of pathology is similar to epithelioma and refers to a particular form of the disease, for which plaques in the form of warts are inherent . In addition, nests are located in the epithelial layer of the tumor. The formations themselves consist of keratinocytes - pigmented cells. Clonal keratosis mainly appears on the lower limbs and mainly in older people.

Main symptoms

The most obvious signs of keratosis are neoplasms (single or multiple) that appear on open areas of the skin - back, chest, forearm. Sometimes the disease can affect the neck, the scalp, the back of the hand, the genital area. Rare cases when the pathology protrudes on the soles of the feet. The size of a benign tumor can vary from several mm to several cm. Education most often takes a rounded shape, its boundaries are clearly delineated. It is possible that the patient may experience itching at the site of tumor localization.

Neoplasms usually have a pink or yellow hue, however, they can be dark brown or black in color. The surface of the tumor is rough, covered with a thin film, with the removal or damage of which blood is allocated. Gradually the film becomes thicker, can become covered with cracks. When the crust thickens, the edges of the tumor change and take the wrong shape. The formation in this case becomes too convex, with black or light impregnations.

Risk group and complications

The following group of people is more likely to be affected:

• Patients with weakened immunity (after chemotherapy, people with AIDS or blood disease),
• People with a genetic predisposition,
• People of advanced age with dry skin,
• Representatives of countries with a warm climate and a large number of sunny days a year,
• Keratosis is often diagnosed in people with fair skin and red hair.

In the treatment of keratosis, early screening is important, therefore, before the diagnosis is established:

• General examination of the patient;
• Histological study of the biomaterial taken.

Keratosis is a disease that is treated sequentially and takes a long time. The started stages of the disease can cause various complications:

• Rebirth of benign formations in cancer;
• Pathology causes a malfunction in the endocrine system, as well as nerve trunks and endings;
• Pathology can lead to tooth loss;
• On the background of keratosis, microbial eczema often appears .

Methods of treatment

As a rule, in the treatment of keratosis the most effective methods are surgical. But only in the case when the manifestation of pathology is represented by separate elements in the open parts of the body. Conservative treatment methods have little effect, although often in order to stop the progression of pathology, patients are prescribed large doses of ascorbic acid.

I must say that this measure leads to a positive dynamics in treatment. Therapy is carried out by courses lasting up to two months. Between the treatment stages it is necessary to take breaks in a few weeks to allow the body to rest. Coursework helps to prevent new foci of disease with the name "keratosis" in the future. Treatment with folk remedies is an extra measure to the above two.

Manifestations of keratosis are removed by various manipulations:

• Laser or radio wave radiation;
• Cryodestruction is a treatment technique based on the effect on affected areas of the skin with liquid nitrogen. This procedure is used primarily in the occurrence of multiple keratomas;
• Chemical peeling - for the procedure use trichloroacetic acid (in pure form or solution in various proportions);
• Electrocoagulation is a technique that uses electric current in the treatment of affected parts of the body;
• Curettage is a curettage procedure using a special metal tool (curette).

Children are prone to disease on an equal basis with adults. In most cases, small patients are diagnosed with follicular keratosis, which occurs in the area of the hair bulb. The cold season may become the cause of the development of the morbid condition; Lack of vitamins in the body; Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract; Daily stresses at school or in the family. A knotty rash that resembles "goosebumps" reveals follicular keratosis in children. A photo of this manifestation of the disease is shown in the illustration below.

The diagnosis is established on the basis of examination, in addition, biological material can be examined. Often, conservative treatment is directed only at removing a cosmetic defect. The main task of the therapy is to moisturize the skin and exfoliate the keratinized particles with the help of special creams and ointments.

Prevention

It is important to remember that in the event of any pathological conditions, one should not engage in self-medication. You should immediately seek advice from a specialist and find out what disorders have occurred in the body.

It is necessary to see a doctor if:

• Neoplasm has changed the shape of the size, coloring for a short time,
• The tumor has inflamed, or it has been traumatized,
• On the skin appeared non-healing or bleeding areas,
• There is soreness or notching pruritus in the site of keratoma localization.

In order to prevent pathology, it is necessary:

• Undergo periodic consultation with a dermatologist;
• To be in the sun only at authorized hours and protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation;
• Ensure that the skin has always been moistened - for this you can use a variety of cosmetics;
• Do not allow prolonged skin irritation due to wearing tight shoes or uncomfortable clothing.

Independently, the tumors do not disappear, with the passage of time they only progress.

Recipes of traditional medicine for keratosis

As noted earlier, alternative medicine can only be an additional measure for conservative (surgical) therapy and only after establishing the correct diagnosis. Treatment of keratosis at home involves the use of various ointments and compresses based on potatoes, propolis, yeast. For example, propolis covers the affected skin areas (it is necessary to apply the product in a thin layer) for several days. Then give the skin a rest, and after a while again perform a similar procedure. The course of treatment consists of several cycles.

The use of raw potatoes is considered effective in the fight against keratosis. The fetus is rubbed on a small grater, laid in several layers of gauze and applied to the affected areas of the skin for 40-60 minutes. The procedure is repeated using fresh potatoes.

Often used for compresses live yeast. The agent is applied to problem areas for several hours, then rinsed with plenty of water. The course of treatment is repeated for five days.

Physiotherapy can also be an integral part in getting rid of manifestations of the disease. However, the most important in the treatment of the disease is daily skin care.