Follicular keratosis ( keratosis pilaris)
Keratosis pilaris is a very common skin disease which is caused by the excess growth of keratin. Keratin forms the outer layer of our skin and if the cells grow unevenly or in form of clusters the extra keratin blocks or clogs the pores thus forming red bumps on the surface which is commonly known as follicular keratosis or keratosis pilaris. Follicular keratosis is a genetic skin problem it passes down from parents to the children . It is not harmful but the red bumps negatively affects a person’s appearance.
Symptoms and treatment
By keeping the skin clean and adopting a healthy lifestyle with nutritious food , can help in preventing skin diseases therefore all these things should be made a habit in order to avoid serious skin problems such as follicular keratosis. As the red spots of keratosis pilaris are similar to acne therefore upon observing the symptoms such as redness and roughness of skin and appearance or small red bumps , it is most advisable to consult a dermatologist. It is difficult to treat the follicular keratosis but by keeping the skin clean and moisturized, using recommended antibiotics and retinoid this type of keratosis can be reduces and controlled.
Actinic keratosis
It is a type of keratosis which is caused by the over exposure of sun .it is therefore also referred as solar keratosis. People belonging to every age group can suffer from actinic keratosis. This type of keratosis is more common in fair people as compared to dark people. The reason behind this difference is that fair people usually spend more time under sun especially in summers and fair skin also has lesser amount of melanin that protects skin against solar damage thus it is an easy target for ultraviolet rays. It usually occurs on parts of body , more exposed to sun such as arms, face and neck .
As a result of actinic keratosis skin becomes thick and crusty , having red bumps .Actinic keratosis can cause some serious problems as ultraviolet rays are very damaging thus it can cause skin cancer too. Therefore it is very important to contact a dermatologist as soon as you observe symptoms of actinic keratosis.
Symptoms and treatment
Common symptoms of actinic keratosis include redness , dryness and roughness of skin , formation of red bumps and crusty appearance of skin. Upon observing these symptoms following treatments can be used after consulting a dermatologist.
- Photodynamic therapy
- Laser
- Cryosurgery
- Electrocautery
Various creams and drugs
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