What Is Keratosis?

It protects you against microbes and harsh chemicals. Your skin cells keep shedding and growing, and this cycle keeps going.

One needs to take care of the skin. You can not ignore its health because if it breaks various harmful organisms can enter your body. If you have any cuts or abrasions, you should take care of them properly. Make sure it heals well. And if it doesn’t, you must consult a healthcare provider. To get an expert opinion, you can visit Dermatologist in Karachi.

Tough fibrous protein in skin, hair, and nails is called keratin. Related to keratin is a condition called keratosis, in which the skin thickens and builds up with excessive keratin. There are three main types of keratosis which we will discuss in this blog.

• Actinic Keratosis
• Seborrheic Keratosis
• Keratosis pilaris

There are other types of keratosis as well, which are rare and inherited.

Actinic Keratosis

It is also called solar keratosis as it is initially caused by UV rays during frequent sun exposure. The risk factors for actinic keratosis include being older than 40 years of age, being frequently exposed to the sun, having a weakened immune system, and having red or blond hair and blue or light-colored eyes.

The Symptoms of actinic keratosis are a rough, scaly, or dry patch on the skin that is flat or has just a slightly raised bump on its top layer. It can be red, brown, or pink in color and can cause itching, bleeding, burning, or crusting. The areas where actinic keratosis can occur involve those exposed to the sun, for example, the hand, neck, head, and forearms.

In its early stages, actinic keratosis can be cleared up and removed, but in later stages, it can progress to squamous cell carcinoma. The best way to prevent it from occurring in the first place is to limit sun exposure or use sunscreen or cover yourself up while you are outdoors. Moreover, it is better to consult a healthcare provider when you notice any changes in the skin in the first place.

Seborrheic Keratosis

Seborrheic keratosis involves non-cancerous skin growth that is black, brown, or light tan. It is scaly or slightly raised and appears on the neck, face, chest, or back. Usually, they don’t need treatment if they are not irritating for you. But in some cases, the healthcare providers might opt to remove it if it causes itching.

There is no known cause for this type of keratosis, but it has an inherited tendency. This type of  grows gradually. Additionally, it appears as a round or oval bump on the face, shoulder, chest, or back. It may also appear as small clusters around the eye or on different parts of the face.

Risk factors include being older than 50 years of age and having a family history as well. If it is not itchy, you can keep it as it is. But if it causes itch and makes you feel uncomfortable, you can get it removed. For that, there are a few methods, such as electrocautery, curettage, and freezing of the growth.

Keratosis Pilaris

Keratosis Pilaris is also called follicular keratosis or chicken skin because it causes rough, slightly red bumps on the skin. Additionally, it causes acne, like that found in goosebumps.

It can occur in the thighs, legs, buttocks, and arms. In this type of keratosis, the excess cream-colored keratin blocks the hair follicle causing the formation of hair plugs. That ultimately leads to the growth of ingrown hair. Mostly, vitamin A deficiency causes it. Therefore to get rid of it, you should eat food rich in vitamin A. You can consume it through the liver and egg yolk. Make sure not to take vitamin A supplements if you are pregnant or planning to conceive. Always tell your healthcare provider if you are sexually active, and they prescribe you vitamin A supplements.

Conclusion

To sum up, keratosis is the build-up of excessive keratin in your skin. It’s not a life-threatening condition, but its symptoms can be bothersome because it causes itching and discomfort. Therefore, you must visit the healthcare provider so that they can devise the appropriate treatment plan for you. To get an expert opinion, you can consult a Skin doctor in Lahore.