As a skin condition, Keratosis pilaris presents itself mostly on thighs and buttocks. Even so, it might appear anywhere lacking glabrous skin, such as on foot soles or palms of hands. Keratosis Pilaris is a common ailment affecting roughly 40% of adult population. Some of its patients might not be aware they suffer from it, owing to its mild manifestation. Build up of keratin in openings of skin hair follicles triggers hyperkeratization, eventually forming follicular plugs and hence causing keratosis pilaris. The protein keratin protects skin from toxic substances and infection. Over production of keratin might correlate to personal genetics or skin conditions like ichthyosis and atopic dermatitis. Keratosis pilaris is inherent but potentially harmless and is not contractible. More cases of this condition are recorded during winter, as opposed to summer.

The usual presentation for keratosis pilaris is marked by small, white or red rough patches or zits, which feel dry and rough. They neither itch, nor get painful under normal circumstance. People quite often mistake this ailment for acne, due to the rough bumps which form on skin that resemble goose bumps.

Keratosis pilaris is common in teenagers and babies. Whereas teenagers manifest keratoses on thighs and upper arms as pimple-like growths, babies will exhibit them on cheeks. It is possible for keratoses to persist until the turn of 30 in a person’s life, if left untreated.

Keratosis pilaris poses no harm, but is unpleasant to the eyes. During cold weather, low humidity of skin causes the condition to worsen. Individuals who undergo prime hormonal changes in the body, such as pregnant mothers, are also likely to suffer worse keratotic effects.

It is not necessary to seek treatment for keratosis pilaris and this condition will most times resolve itself. Since facial keratoses are akin to pimples, peoples who have them will apply various means to attain cure. Visiting with a dermatologist is important if you suffer with this condition. The specialist can undertake appropriate medical treatment on you and recommend the best skin care products which suit your needs. There are regular facial therapy methods, such as exfoliation, which eliminate excess keratin from the skin surface, hence curtailing hyperkeratization. You however ought to treat this healing technique as a temporal, since it yields superficial results. Its greatest benefit is nonetheless that it will cause your skin to brighten up. Keratosis pilaris has an interesting link with vitamin A presence, or its deficiency. It is critical that you consult with your doctor on how to best manage keratoses, especially when undertaking remedies for it.

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Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery is considered as the most preferred option for treating actinic keratosis. During this curing process, Liquid Nitrogen gets applied on the surface affected, either by use of spray device, or cotton tip applicator. This method is made effective, owing to the extreme coldness of liquid Nitrogen utilized. As a result therefore, it precipitates lethal action to bombarded cells. In spite of its effectiveness, patients undergoing cryosurgery treatment will still find it a bit painful, and this therapy will also prompt some feeling of discomfort. In equal importance, the freezing process applied might occasion blister formation, discolored patches of skin, swelling and reddening, to the affected areas. Individuals affected by keratosis may also contract infections in wounded regions, as a consequence of delayed healing from cryosurgery. Scarring may also occur after this procedure has been conducted.

Curettage

Curettage is a healing mechanism whereby a peripheral skin condition is scraped away. The usual tool applied in the scraping process is called a curette, even though a scalpel may also be used for this procedure. Though also famed for effective treatment delivery, patients undertaking curettage require local anesthesia, in order to escape the rigors of surgical trauma. Apart from the scarring possibility that this therapeutic method carries, there is also a risk of infection associated with it.

Photodynamic Therapy

In photodynamic therapy, a light-induced drug undergoes a chemical reaction which kills abnormal cells. This mode of treatment further works on the premise that the drug introduced gets absorbed by skin cells. This factor then triggers the cells to exhibit selective sensitivity toward specified wavelength or color of light. Applying this procedure on affected skin regions therefore kills degenerative cells, thereby causing healing of keratosis to occur. Aminolevulinicacid (ALA) is the most common drug application for this therapy. Photodynamic therapy has several important advantages to the user, but still carries some demerits. The process inflicts a measure of pain, arising from the typical photodynamic reaction initiated. This manifests as itching, reddening, swelling, burning or stinging sensation on the skin surface. In addition, you might require anaesthetization for you to evade irradiative pain.

Topical 5-Fluorouracil

Also known as 5-FU, Topical 5-fluorouracil is a cream application for the skin. By binding the DNA in cells, this cream medication leads to death of cells afflicted with keratosis. The therapy applied here has excellent cosmetic outcome, but also bears few disadvantages on patients. Disfiguration and pain caused by reddening and inflammation of treatment spots, is the main demerit of 5- FU.

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Differences Between The Types Of Keratosis

Keratosis refers to a growth on the skin especially in older adults. It usually appears as brown or light growth on the face, upper body, shoulder, or back. The growth is waxy and slightly elevated in form. Once in a while it develops singly, but several growths are more regular. Seborrheic Keratosis isnot cancerous, although they look like skin cancer. It is not usually brought about by being exposed to the sun, even though it can come after sunburn or other skin irritating conditions like dermatitis.

Variants of Keratosis include the lentigo which is a petite, pigmented flat or a little raised spot amid a clearly distinct edge surrounded with normal-appearing skin. They may evolve gradually over years, or else may appear abruptly. They may crop up anywhere and differ in color. Lentigines have been sub-divided into various types depending on their looks, their location, the causative or factors. It can also be subdivided according to its relationship with other ailments or conditions.

Dermatosis papulosa nigra is another type of keratosis that regularly begins in puberty. It describes the occurrence of multiple, tiny, 1-5 mm span, smooth, compact, dark brown papules that appear on faces and necks of black-skinned individuals. The occurrence, figures as well as size of laceration increases with age. Complications of simple destructive management can lead to increased or decreased pigmentation and keloid development. Lesions crop up mainly on forehead but may as well be seen on the neck on the upper back and on the upper body. Dermatosis papulosa nigra laceration is usually best left untreated because Lichenoid keratosis is generally a single lesion that resembles a lentigo. The lesions seem to grow from a reverting existing laceration such as a lentigo.

It is a rare lesion with majority of the cases more often than not discovered by doctors while undertaking cautious skin examinations. The majorities of the lesions builds up in people between twenty and thirty years of age and have less effect on males as compared to females. It is more common to the Caucasians and rare on Asians, and Hispanics. A biopsy on the skin may be essential to prove diagnosis of doubtful lesions. Once the diagnosis is long-established, the individual ought to be advised concerning the benign character of the laceration and offered therapeutic or surgical management to take away any residual lesion from the skin of the individual and measure taken to stop regeneration of the lesions.

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There are products which are in the market that claim to be effective treatments for keratosis. One such combines microdermabrasion and multiacid chemical peel as single treatment. The premise applied here pertains to physical chemistry, where microdermabrasion breaks microscopic fibers that reinforce cells together. At the same instance, chemical peel dissolves the glue holding these cells as one. Keratosis has possible genetic etiology and genetic predisposition, which makes it difficult to achieve a singular available cure option. Effectiveness of treatment varies with hormonal and seasonal states, which get inconsistent at certain times. There also are cases of keratosis pilaris which clear up on their own, as well as others that disappear with age.

Different contemporary modes exist for treating keratosis. Important too is the fact that many patients exhibit excellent response to such approaches in therapy. It is nonetheless critical for any cure adopted to be implemented with continuity. There are multiple types of lotions and creams that you can choose from, in order to alleviate keratosis. It is crucial to note that people respond differently to varying cures. Of equal emphasis also is that you might not attain perfect relief from them.

You can settle for a generic approach for treating keratosis, in order to prevent skin from drying off. Mild cleansers which are not laced with soap cleansers are an ideal choice here. Most such cases utilize lubrication as the mainstay of action.

Treating mild events of keratosis pilaris may be done by conducting basic lubrication, which appropriates over-the-counter moisturizer lotions. Lactic acid lotions are better therapeutic options for more serious cases of keratosis. One may also apply topical steroid creams and alpha hydroxyl acid lotions for greater positive outcome.

If your skin is prone to acne attacks, you should consider applying an active cleanser on it, as opposed to a soapless one for nonreactive skin, on areas affected by keratosis. When making lotion application, massage affected regions about 2 to 3 times a day. Skin that is abraded or irritated ought to undergo bland moisturizing, up until inflammation eases on it.

Your doctor is at liberty to prescribe a medium potency topical steroid cream that is emollient-based. This treatment course lasts about 7-10 days. It forms a vital part of acting on red areas inflamed with rashes. A preparation, such as of 2-3% salicylic acid compounded in 20% urea cream can then be applied on the resulting dry lump residues.

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Solar Keratosis Treatments

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Solar or actinic keratosis are scaly, rough spots which occur on skin damaged by sunlight. These are distinct from other keratosis forms, such as porokeratosis, keratosis pilaris and sebhorrheic keratosis. Solar keratoses are due to abnormal development of skin cells exposed to ultraviolet radiation. They are known as precursors to cancer development. Even though solar keratoses are relatively harmless, they may be quite uncomfortable and unsightly to bear.

Treatment of solar keratosis is done by eradicating cells which are diseased. Once this has been undertaken, subcutaneous skin cells may then reproduce afresh. Not all keratoses should be removed, when carrying out treatment. Therapy focuses on eliminating tender or thickened lesions, as these pose greatest cancer risk. There are diverse procedures that may be conducted in order to relieve actinic keratosis.

Curettage and Cautery

This is the preferred method for doing away with thick keratoses and is used for removing squamous cell cancers at an early stage. A specimen is generated and sent for pathological testing in such scenario. Removal of lesion by means of scraping with sharp instrument is called curettage. Diathermy or cautery prevents bleeding by burning off keratoses. The scab later formed heals within a few weeks.

Cryotherapy

It is possible to freeze off defective skin cells by applying liquid Nitrogen on them. This method is called cryotherapy and elicits blistering and shedding of skin damaged by ultraviolet light. Treated Keratoses present on the face will peel off in 10 days or so. The ones that are on hands will do so within about 3 weeks. Those on legs can last for up to twelve weeks before healing.

Excision

Excision biopsy is literal cutting out of lesions and is important to ensure they are completely cleared away. The outcome is confirmed by pathological record. This is critical when a lesion is suspected to be cancerous.

5-Fluorouracil Cream

Fluorouracil cream, also known as 5-FU or Efudix is quite an effective application for multiple facial keratoses. It is applied once or twice a day on the face for between two and four weeks.

Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is executed using a photosensitizer on the area affected first, before subjecting it to intense light radiation.

Imiquimoid

This therapy comprises of an immune response modifier contained within a base of cream. Its application on affected skin precipitates initial inflammatory reaction, eventually causes healing to occur.

Diclofenac Gel

Solar keratosis can be treated with Diclofenac reconstituted in hyaluran gel, with excellent results.

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Actinic keratoses (AK) are malignant cutaneous cellular structures which are evolving. They also are called keratinocytic intraepidermal neoplasia or in situ squamous cell carcinoma of solar keratotic kind. Two general methods are in use for treating actinic keratosis, which are topical therapies and destructive/physical ones. A number of therapeutic options have yielded significant results in keratosis treatment. These include imiquimod, 5-Fluorouracil, retinoids, colchicine and diclofenac.

5-Fluorouracil

Topical 5-Fluorouracil has been a prime focus of treating actinic keratosis for long. It thus has undergone many intensive studies to date. The action mechanism involved in the working of this drug is well understood and all leads to reduced DNA synthesis. This arises from low consequential levels of the chemical thymidine, which precipitates selective cell death in actinic lesions rather than normal skin. It is however unclear if regular cells only absorb less fluorouracil, in contrast to AK cells. Researchers neither have established whether absorption is similar for both cases, without generating equal parallel effects.

Imiquimod

Imiquimod is another FDA approved medication in use for treating actinic keratosis. A large number of scientific reports support the efficacy of this drug in AK therapy, when topically applied in off-label conditions. Being an immunomodulator, imiquimod triggers a chemical release series of cytokines that sensitize and activate the local system of cellular immunity. This includes, yet is not limited to cytotoxic T-cells, which kill naturally. The cascade propagated here effects localized immune response that acts against abnormal cells in the activation area.

Diclofenac

Diclofenac is a Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID), which also has undergone comprehensive evaluation in AK treatment. Scientists are nonetheless yet to verify its action against precancerous tissue cells. Current research focuses on the possibility of cyclooxygenase enzyme inhibition as the cause of Diclofenac’s clinical action. Metabolism products of Arachidonic acid are thought to reduce downstream as a result of this. A portion of these by-products will control apoptosis inhibition, upward regulation of tumor cell invasive ability, together with overall immunosurveillance.

Colchicine

Colchicine is an alkaloid plant extract which is prominent as gout topical treatment. Since 1968 when it was first indicated as useful in actinic keratosis therapy, it has been verified through various studies as an effective drug on keratotic lesions. Colchicine is UV sensitive and works by down-regulating leucocytes affected by keratosis treatment.

Retinoids

Retinoids exhibit potential for inducing differentiation and antiproliferation. In consequence of this, they have been demonstrated as capable of improving damage effects precipitated by UV light on skin of patients. Retinoids have been associated with Keratosis treatment since 1962. Since then, significant progress has been made along this line, mainly involving tretinoin and retinoin use.

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Keratosis On The Scalp

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Keratosis is a skin disease whose main characteristic is in the overgrowth of keratinous tissue, which appears to be horny. Keratosis exists in a variety of types that are  categorized by different degrees of severity. These include keratosis pilaris, actinic keratosis, seborrheic keratosis, keratosis follicularis and hyperkeratosis. Actinic keratosis is the most prevalent condition affecting the skin.

Causes

Known also as solar keratosis, actinic keratosis is the result of exposure to high level or frequent bouts of ultraviolet radiation. Skin or epithelial cells get renewed constantly in the body of a healthy person. These then replace cells which are older, providing also to the body a formidable system of defense against attack from disease. Skin which has been injured by UV radiation loses its natural color, and forms lesions as well.

Symptoms

Oftentimes, actinic keratoses start as bumps which are very small and can be identified by their roughness. These bumps may reappear back and forth during the early stages of infection. Actinic kerosis exhibits color variations which range through natural skin tone, tan, red and pink. The keratoses will after some time change into crusty or scaly lesions, which become visible on the scalp, hands, forearms, face, shoulders, neck and hands, among other body regions.

Complications

Actinic keratoses bear some potential of developing into squamous cell carcinoma and are thus considered as precursors to cancer. Research indicates that life-threatening ailments occur due to spread of squamous cell carcinomas to internal body organs. The rate of this happening stands at between 2 and 10 percent. There are reports by the Skin Cancer Foundation that Keratoses can be harmful and dangerous, or malignant by for up to 10 percent of such cases. The good thing is that actinic keratoses can be removed if spotted at an early stage, before they present the danger of causing cancer.

Treatment

It is profoundly difficult to tell the keratoses that will degenerate into cancer as time evolves. This means that it is vital to carry out removal of all lesions visible. Your skin specialist has many different options available for eliminating keratosis of the scalp. These include cryotherapy or freezing, chemical peel, chemotherapeutic creams, laser therapy, dermabrasion, and cutterage or scraping. Nonetheless, the most outstanding approach in treating keratosis is of prevention. One primary way for preventing actinic keratosis is by avoiding tanning booths. At the same time, you should wear a sunscreen when going outdoors.

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Topical Medications

Medicated solutions and creams are quite effective applications, when either applied alone, or combined with other treatment forms. This is when you suffer from multiple actinic keratosis. The FDA has approved 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) liquid or ointment, in concentrations ranging from 0.5- 5 percent, as a means of treating this form of keratosis. It is a highly favored application that is effective against subclinical lesions, as well as surface ones. You can achieve a cure rate of up to 93%, if you apply 5- FU the right way. Even though crusting, swelling and reddening may occur, these are only temporal. Lesions will usually heal within two weeks after treatment is stopped. Only in rare circumstances does scarring take place and you will enjoy the outcome you obtain.

Another FDA-approved cream, Imiquimod 5% works differently. This is by stimulating the body’s immune system to release interferon, a chemical active in destroying both precancerous and cancerous cells. Most keratosis patients tolerate this medication well, but some develop ulcerations and redness.

Diclofenac is an anti-inflammatory drug that is non-steroidal, used in keratosis therapy. It is utilized in combination with a chemical occurring in the body by nature, known as hyaluronic acid. The gel which results is then applied two times daily for between two and three months. Whereas diclofenac prevents anti-inflammatory response and promotes toleration, hyaluronic acid delays its uptake, hence boosting skin diclofenac levels. In particular, individuals who are hyper-sensitive to alternate topical treatments, show good response to this combination therapy.

Cryosurgery

This therapeutic method is best preferred where only few lesions exist on skin. It also eliminates need for anesthesia, or cutting. Growths are rather frozen by use of liquid Nitrogen applied with either cotton-tipped applicator, or spraying device. These lesions then shrink, or crust off the skin surface.

Combination Therapies

Two modes of therapy may work better than a singular one. You may utilize either simultaneous or sequential treatment as this can both minimize side effects and improve rate of cure.

Chemical Peeling

Chemical peeling can be used for eradicating facial actinic keratoses, as it also is popular as anti-aging cream. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is applied to the skin directly, or chemical agents similar to it.

Laser Surgery

An erbium or carbon dioxide YAG laser gets focused onto the lesion prone area, during laser surgery. This light beam cuts across tissue without occasioning bleeding.

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

PDT is useful when utilized on scalp or facial lesions. The photosensitizing agent, 5 aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), is applied to lesions, which eventually destroys keratosis cells.

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Treating Keratosis In The Young

A benign ailment, Keratosis pilaris is quite rampant amongst young adults and children, appearing as whitish small bumps on their thighs and upper arms. Individual lesions may arise if a hair follicle gets plugged with keratin present on nails, hair and skin.

Risk Groups

Though more prevalent in females, effects of keratosis pilaris are generally independent of a person’s race, sex or age. In many cases, this condition will develop fully by the age of 10, with possibility of getting worse at puberty. All the same, it most often improves or altogether disappears by early adulthood. Up to 50-80% of teenagers and 40% adults are at risk of developing keratosis pilaris. There is quite a large populace bearing a history of this sickness. A huge percentage of people also suffer from ichthyosis vulgaris. This skin condition is characterized by very scaly and dry skin and most people with it are also symptomatic of keratosis pilaris.

Symptoms and Signs

In most cases, persons suffering from keratosis pilaris exhibit keratoses on thigh fronts, upper arm backs and buttocks. Children will especially have them on cheeks. These patients present with white to gray bumps located at hair follicle centers. At times, there is a red, thin ring surrounding the white bump, indicative of inflammation. Such bumps resemble each other closely and are spread evenly on skin surface. Though a rare happening, keratosis patients may experience mild itching.

Guidelines for Self-care

You can improve the look of your skin, even if keratosis pilaris has no known cure.  Do this by hydrating your skin to keep it moist with mild cleansers free of fragrance, while moisturizing it daily. Ointments and creams are better at moisturizing skin than lotions. Apply them immediately after bathing, as they tend to work best on moist skin.

Several over-the-counter products might prove to help in combating keratoses. These include urea-containing creams, cortisone cream, especially for itchy skin and alpha hydroxyl acid preparations, like lactic or glycolic acid.

It is critical not to attempt scrubbing away or picking at keratosis bumps with pumice stone, or other harsh oxfoliant. Such acts make the skin condition to worsen. Also avoid picking at them, or scratching, which actions may trigger off incidents of scaring, or bacterial infections.

Seeking Medical Care

There is no health complication associated with keratosis pilaris, thus rendering it a mild medical ailment. You nonetheless may opt for professional advice, if the remedies which you try at home prove unsatisfactory.

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Actinic Keratosis occurs when abnormal cells get confined to the top layer of skin (epidermis). Keratoses of actinic nature will develop in areas of skin such as ears, hands, arms, face and scalp, which are exposed to the sun. They are both red and scaly patches that are rough to touch. Abbreviated as KP, Kelatoris Pilaris is the condition where skin keratin hardens on building up, hence forming small bumps. These are mostly fresh in color, with the possibility of becoming pink or red if irritated. In contrast, sebhorrheic keratoses are benign lesions that pose no cancer risk, but are quite distasteful to bear. They appear in various dimensions, ranging from barely noticeable spots to large black growths.

Many different forms of treatment are available for patients suffering actinic and sebhorrheic keratosis, including keratosis pilaris. The best results however come when combining multiple forms of therapy.

Prevention Measures

Patients with keratosis should take precaution to avoid excessive drying of skin and should apply soapless cleansing agents for sanitation practices.

Cryosurgery

In cryotherapy or cryosurgery, lesions become frozen on the surface of skin affected by keratosis. The agents used in carrying out the freezing process are called cryogens. They include liquid Nitrogen, which is the most common and carbon dioxide, which was the form used earlier on. Dimethyl Ether and Propane (DMEP) completes the list of active cryogenic substances.

Curettage

When undertaking curettage treatment procedure, a surgeon will use a surgical curette tool for scraping and scooping tissue. The lesions occasioned by actinic keratosis can then be eliminated. The fact that curettage is a surgical removal method means you only need to undergo one successful procedure for therapy.

Topical 5-Fluorouracil

Topical medications, like 5-Fluorauracil facilitate a more generalized approach in treating multiple lesions from actinic keratosis. Solar keratosis is the most common ailment for which 5-Fluorouracil is prescribed. This is a lethal chemical agent which renders destruction to sun-damaged cells, leaving behind vibrant looking skin.

Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy appropriates blue light (417nm) and aminolevulinic acid (Levulan) in restoring vigor to diseased skin. There however is need for more confirmative trials on its use as treatment for keratosis.

Regular Medication

You may take oral medication such as isotretinoin as an approach for combating negative symptoms of severe keratosis pilaris.

Surgery

Excision surgery can also be conducted as intervention for keratosis, as well as dermabrasion.

Laser Therapy

During laser treatment, cells affected by keratosis are irradiated with a laser beam of high intensity, effectively destroying them.

Topical Products

Lotions and creams containing retinoids, lactic and alpha-hydroxy acids also comprise suitable keratosis therapies.

Home Remedies

Using a humidifier to add moisture to the environment you live in, is among recommended domestic remedies that alleviate itching effects of Keratosis.

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