There are three types of keratosis: actinic keratosis, seborrheic keratosis, and keratosis pilaris. Among these three types, the most common is actinic keratosis. Neglecting actinic keratosis may in the worst cases result in having skin cancer.

The skin’s outermost layer known as the epidermis is where you will find actinic keratosis (also known as solar keratosis). It is usually recognized by the abnormality of the keratinocytes which mainly compose the epidermis. Actinic keratosis is considered as a precancerous skin condition as apparent to the formation of squamous cell carcinoma whenever it is left untreated. The affected individual is recommended to keep track of the condition of the skin because actinic keratosis may lead to squamous cell carcinoma. [continue reading…]

Keratosis infection no doubt weakens the structure of the skin especially with the weakening or breakdown of the supporting collagen materials. Aside keratosis and some other skin disorders that can damage collagen in the skin, the internal processes of the skin can also result in the depletion of collagen , hence you will need some forms of collagen replacement therapies to get you skin back to normal. Collagen for instance determines the structure of your face and it is the collagen which makes up around 25% of the total protein of the body. Though there are 4 major types of collagen, however collagen is found in the skin and its characteristic tensile strength gives the skin its characteristic elasticity and strength. [continue reading…]

The treatment for keratoacanthoma which is a benign form of keratosis can be described as primarily surgical. Medical intervention may be highly recommended for people with multiple lesions of keratoacanthoma. For people whose medical insurance does not cover surgical procedures, 5 fluorouracil, Intralesional metotexrate, and steroids are offered, these drugs are also offered after examining the size and location of the growing lesions and has been found that the size and lesions will not allow surgical removal. Systemic retinoids are offered such patients based on the fact that the lesions of keratosis are too numerous for surgical operations. [continue reading…]

Some of the most advanced forms of treating keratosis which has advanced into squamous cell carcinoma includes; Excision with conventional margins, Electrodessication and curettage, Immuno-supression reduction, systemic chemotherapy, Radiation therapy, topical immune response modifiers, photodynamic therapy, and non-surgical therapies.

Topical chemotherapy as well as topical immune response modifiers are regarded as the best non surgical treatments for squamous cell carcinoma. Topical chemotherapy involves the use of 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of actinic keratosis and superficial basal cell carcinoma. Though the topical chemotherapy treatment with 5-fluorouracil does not work effectively for invasive squamous cell carcinoma, the oral form is rather preferred and can be effectively used in dealing with most advanced stages of the infection. [continue reading…]

Affecting more than half the world’s adult population, keratosis pilaris is a widespread skin disorder whose cause is unknown, but which looks like a permanent case of goosebumps.

Keratosis pilaris is one of the most widespread forms of keratosis as 40 to 50 percent of the adult population suffers from the skin disorder. It also affects from 50 to 80 percent of adolescents.

[continue reading…]

Keratosis is a condition where there is an excessive production of keratin on the skin. This production can occur anywhere and for different reasons and because of that keratosis is further divided into smaller branches. One of these branches is known as pilaris keratosis.

[continue reading…]

Skin conditions are so common these days that almost everyone is guaranteed to have one form or the other. What most people don’t know is that 80% of their skin conditions are caused by the sun. It is not only heat that reaches us from the sun. Other harmful rays known as Ultra Violet rays are also emitted and these are very dangerous for the skin. Naturally the ozone layer is supposed to filter the rays of the sun such that only a minimal amount of these harmful rays reach the earth, but because of the harmful gases we ourselves have been releasing into the atmosphere, the ozone layer has slowly been corroded leaving room for those rays to penetrate.

[continue reading…]

Keratosis is a skin condition which develops as a result of excess keratin being produced. This results in hard crusty skin. Keratosis is not usually harmful but there are some forms of this skin condition that are premalignant and have chances of forming cancer. Keratosis has sub types some of which are solar keratosis, actinic keratosis and keratosis pilaris.

Solar Keratosis

Solar keratosis is a skin condition in which the skin may develop one or several lumps. These bumps on the skin come about as a result of overexposure to the sun. It is also referred to as actinic keratosis. These spots vary in size and range from the size of a pinhead to 3cm in diameter. The most common colors these spots have are pink, red, your skin color or a combination of all. These spots are more often felt than seen. Sometimes, the skin may have an abnormal growth resulting in a horn like structure referred to as a cutaneous horn.

[continue reading…]

The red and inflamed bumps of keratosis pilaris often occur at the upper arms and thigh, the one that appears on the face is quite rare and such is referred to as pilaris keratosis rubra. Normally the skin disorder poses no serious treat , however most teenagers when they are aware of the red bumps often become very nervous and worried.  Many people do try to cover up keratosis pilaris bumps by wearing long sleeve clothes and trousers all the time, some people may also think that they are witnessing an allergic reaction to some food they have eaten but the truth is that there is no relationship between allergies and keratosis pilaris.

[continue reading…]