Follicular hyperkeratosis worries patients, first of all, by its unaesthetic appearance, when the skin on the arms, legs, and sometimes on the face becomes rough, covered with small red spike-shaped nodules and looks like goose bumps. This skin condition is often found in members of the same family and is difficult to treat, worsens in the cold season and can manifest itself not only on the flexion surfaces, but also spread throughout the body. The treatment of the disease is selected individually for each patient.
Causes of follicular hyperkeratosis
Follicular hyperkeratosis develops due to changes occurring in the epidermis, when the superficial horny scales cease to exfoliate or keratin is intensively formed in them, and these scales clog the mouths of the hair follicles. As a result, the skin is covered with small bright red pimples like thorn-like nodules.
They usually concentrate on the outer surface of the forearms and thighs, on the buttocks, on the knees and elbows, but in severe cases they can cover the entire body. This rash looks like goose bumps. Sometimes rashes of follicular hyperkeratosis occur on the face, and they should be differentiated from acne elements.
Follicular hyperkeratosis can develop for the following reasons:
- nervous stress, neurological diseases;
- hormonal disorders;
- deficiency of vitamins A and C, vitamin K;
- allergic reactions.
If the cause of goose bumps is a lack of vitamin A, the skin becomes like sandpaper, the rash is localized on the elbows, knees and buttocks. When follicular keratosis is caused by a lack of vitamin C in the body, the ducts of the follicles are clogged not with scales, but with blood. The rash is hemorrhagic in nature and appears on the abdomen and thighs.
Follicular hyperkeratosis symptoms and treatment
Follicular hyperkeratosis nodules, the size of a match head, form at the very base of the hair follicle and appear as tiny, spike-like nodules with an inflamed red rim. Outwardly, it looks like goosebumps, but reddish in color, dry and rough to the touch.
Sometimes, follicular hyperkeratosis causes mild itching. If you comb the skin or take care of it improperly (using hard scrubs), then a bacterial infection can join the inflammatory elements with the formation of a pustular rash.
Treatment of follicular hyperkeratosis is carried out with the use of local steroid ointments, light chemical peels with AHA acids, salicylic acid. A vitamin complex is individually selected for the patient, home care products with emollients are prescribed, which are sure to soften and moisturize the skin.
Follicular hyperkeratosis does not pose a threat to the patient's health and does not cause pain, but causes severe psychological distress due to the unaesthetic appearance of the skin. Therefore, competent diagnosis and personalized treatment will significantly improve the quality of life of patients with this disease.
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