Hyperkeratosis

Hyperkeratosis

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Hyperkeratosis refers to thickening of your skin’s outer layer. This layer is made of a protein called keratin, which helps to protect the body against infiltration by water and other chemical and biological agents with which it comes in contact every day. However, keratin can start to overgrow in many different conditions.

The type of skin thickening found in hyperkeratosis is often a natural response to pressure, rubbing, or irritation of the skin, although there are a number of possible causes. 

How long a particular form of hyperkeratosis lasts depends on its cause. For example, corns and calluses usually last as long as a person continues to wear poorly fitting shoes. Warts may disappear on their own. But this may take several months.

Once they develop, actinic keratoses or seborrheic keratoses are long-term conditions. They do not disappear without treatment.

 

Hyperkeratosis - Treatments & Procedures