Keratosis is a common skin problem that develops when the body generates too much keratin, which is a protein that is necessary for hair, skin, and nails. This buildup makes some parts of the skin rough, scaly, or thicker. A lot of keratosis types aren’t dangerous, but some of them can be a sign of alterations that could lead to cancer, so you shouldn’t ignore them.
Various types of keratosis
There are many different types of keratosis, and each one has its unique set of symptoms and effects:
Seborrheic Keratosis
This is a growth on the skin that looks like a patch of dark, black, or tan skin. It’s not bad. It can happen anywhere on the body and usually looks like warts or wax. Older adults often acquire seborrheic keratoses, and they normally get worse as they get older. They don’t pain most of the time and don’t need to be treated unless they look bad or are annoying.
Actinic Keratosis, which is also known as Solar Keratosis,
Many individuals think this variety is precancerous. It usually looks like rough, dry, or scaly areas on skin that gets a lot of sun, like the face, ears, scalp, hands, and forearms. If you don’t treat actinic keratoses, they can turn into squamous cell carcinoma if you spend a lot of time in the sun.
Keratosis Pilaris
This harmless condition, sometimes known as “chicken skin,” causes small, itchy bumps to form on the arms, thighs, cheeks, or buttocks. It happens when keratin blocks hair follicles. It won’t affect your health, but it could be bothersome for cosmetic reasons. Keratosis pilaris happens more often in youngsters and adolescents, but it normally gets better as they become older.
Things that make it more likely and what causes it
Depending on the type, there are a lot of reasons that could cause keratosis.
Being in the sun a lot is the main thing that causes actinic keratosis.
Keratosis pilaris and seborrheic keratosis may be passed down from one family member to another.
Dry skin, hormonal fluctuations, or other skin issues like eczema can all cause keratosis pilaris.
People with fair skin, those who spend a lot of time outside, or those whose family have a history of skin problems are more likely to get certain types of keratosis.
Diagnosis
A dermatologist can usually detect if someone has keratosis just by looking at them. A skin biopsy may be done to make sure that the lesion isn’t skin cancer if it is changing shape, size, or color.
Choices for Treatment
The type of keratosis determines how it is treated:
You don’t have to freeze, scrape, laser, or electrosurge seborrheic keratosis, but you can if you want to.
You should get treatment for actinic keratosis to minimize your risk of getting skin cancer. You could try chemical peels, cryotherapy, topical medicines like 5-fluorouracil or imiquimod, or photodynamic therapy.
People typically use lotions, moisturizers, and gentle scrubs that have lactic acid, salicylic acid, or urea in them to cure keratosis pilaris.
Stopping and Taking Care of
To lower your chances of acquiring keratosis, especially actinic keratosis, consider the following:
Put on sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day.
Don’t use tanning beds or stay in the sun for too long when it’s hottest throughout the day.
Use moisturizing treatments every day to keep keratosis pilaris from getting worse.
Check your skin often for areas that are new or changing. If you see any, go to a dermatologist.
When to See a Doctor
Most kinds of keratosis aren’t harmful, but you should see a doctor if
A lesion hurts, bleeds, or changes quickly.
You can’t tell if a spot is cancerous or not.
You want to get rid of lesions because they look bad.
To put it simply, keratosis is a general name for a multitude of skin issues. Some kinds of keratosis are bad for your health, while others are not. The first thing you need to do to get better and feel great is to find out what sort you have.