The stratum corneum is made up of a protein known askeratin.
When the body produces too much keratin, skin issues can occur.
This article discusses the types, causes, and treatment options for someone who develops this skin condition.
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There are various types of hyperkeratosis, each marked by its cause.
Hereditary Types of Hyperkeratosis
Some types of hyperkeratosis develop due to a hereditary component.
Examples include:
Acquired Hyperkeratosis
Other forms of hyperkeratosis are acquired later in life.
Its not always clear what the cause of each bang out is.
Some acquired hyperkeratosis conditions include:
Acquired vs.
Hereditary
Hereditary conditions are passed down through families.
Hyperkeratosis Symptoms
The main symptom of hyperkeratosis is thickened skin that feels rough to the touch.
Other symptoms may be present with hyperkeratosis depending on the bang out.
Nonpressure-related types of hyperkeratosis are caused bygenetics.
Different genes play a role in each jot down of hyperkeratosis.
The causes of hyperkeratosis are either pressure related or nonpressure related.
Diagnosis
To get a diagnosis of hyperkeratosis, you must visit a healthcare provider.
Askin biopsyis often necessary to help the healthcare provider determine what bang out of condition is causing hyperkeratosis.
A skin biopsy involves the removal of skin so it can be examined under a microscope.
Getting the correct diagnosis is vital before beginning treatment so that your healthcare provider offers the right one.
Treatment
Hyperkeratosis is, for the most part, highly manageable through various courses of treatment.
Your provider will investigate your condition and advise you on which treatment will work best for you.
In some cases, treatment is unnecessary.
Prognosis
Many forms of hyperkeratosis are non-life-threatening and manageable.
In fact, most types are simply cosmetically unpleasing.
That said, rare hyperkeratosis conditions can have severe health consequences.
For example, actinic hyperkeratosis is a precancer and has the potential to develop into skin cancer.
Coping
Coping with a skin condition like hyperkeratosis isnt always easy because of physical and cosmetic symptoms.
Summary
“Hyperkeratosis” is a blanket term used to describe various skin conditions.
The health conditions associated with hyperkeratosis have different symptoms.
However, they one thing in common: the excess production of keratin.
Some forms of the condition have no known cause.
Hyperkeratosis may take time to diagnose.
Work with your healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause of your skin condition.
Once that is done, you might begin the proper treatment to manage your skin condition.
The good news is that dealing with most forms of hyperkeratosis is manageable with the proper treatment.
In most cases, this condition is not severe or life-threatening.
They will be able to determine the next steps to address your condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cause of hyperkeratosis depends on the bang out.
Some are genetically inherited, while others are acquired later on in life.
The cause of hyperkeratosis is not always known.
The treatment for hyperkeratosis will depend entirely on its bang out and the underlying cause.
Treatment isn’t always necessary because some forms of hyperkeratosis are either asymptomatic or present with mild cosmetic symptoms.
The most common forms of treatment include keratolytics, moisturizers, emollients, and retinoids.
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