Every person may experience various kinds of formations on the skin. Some of them pose a serious danger, others do not manifest themselves for a long time. Today we will talk about neoplasms such as keratomas. What it is? Why do they appear? How to treat keratomas? These and other questions will be discussed below. Also, the article will present photos of keratomas.
General information
Keratomas are specific neoplasms of dark brown or brown color that look like freckles. At first, such neoplasms are quite small in size, but over time they darken, become horny, flake and turn into plaques, the color of which can vary from dark brown to black. Keratomas reach 1-2 cm in diameter. Neoplasms can be both single and multiple. The disease is most often asymptomatic, in some cases skin lesions disappear on their own. When contacting a medical institution, the doctor will show a photo of keratomas and tell you what types they are.
The reasons for their formation
Keratoma of the skin (photos are available in the article), according to scientists, most often occurs due toprolonged exposure to direct sunlight with exposed unprotected skin. This is especially true for people over 40 years old. In adulthood, the skin reacts in this way to an excess of ultraviolet radiation - the epidermis grows and subsequently becomes keratinized. Exposure to solar radiation disrupts the processes of keratinization of the skin at the cellular level.
It has also been proven that there is a hereditary predisposition to the development of keratomas. Most often, the disease is transmitted through the male line.
Provoking factors
The likelihood of keratoma formation increases with metabolic disorders, vitamin A deficiency in the body, neuroendocrine pathologies, failure of the production of sex hormones, exposure of the skin to the juices of poisonous plants or certain chemical compounds, long-term use of antibiotics, diuretics.
Types of keratomas
Manifestations of keratoma depend on the type of this pathology. Neoplasms differ in external manifestations, the nature of growth and the sensations of the patient.
Senile (age-related) keratomas
What is this? The first symptom of senile keratoma are brown or light yellow spots. Outwardly, the neoplasm looks like a small hyperpigmented area of the skin. Developing, the spot darkens and may acquire a brown, burgundy, gray color, while its size also increases. The structure of senile keratomas also changes: they become looser and softer to the touch.
Due to the accelerated growth of individual sections, a bumpysurface (alternating protrusions and depressions, layers, veins, dark dots, etc.). Later, age-related keratomas become rough, the layer of cells that covers them begins to peel and peel off with small grayish scales. The size of the senile keratoma is in the range of 0.5-6 cm, more often - 1-2 cm. Some formations brighten over time, acquiring a pale brown or gray tint.
These neoplasms, as a rule, have a multiple distribution pattern, are localized on the lower and upper limbs, neck, face, in rare cases - on the body. If the keratoma is damaged, it begins to bleed and become inflamed, pain may occur.
Seborrheic keratomas
Such neoplasms are characterized by very slow growth. First, a yellowish spot with a diameter of 2-3 cm forms on the skin. Then its surface begins to thicken and become covered with easily separated scabs. Over time, the keratoma increases in size, the crusts become multi-layered (their thickness can reach 1.5 cm or more) and become covered with deep cracks. The color of the formation becomes dark - brown, black. When seborrheic keratomas are damaged, painful discomfort is felt, moderate bleeding can be observed. This type of neoplasm is localized most often on the chest, back, shoulders, scalp, rarely on the face and neck. As a rule, neoplasms are located in groups, sometimes - singly.
Dermal horn
Another name for such neoplasms is horny keratomas. What it is? Appears on the skina gray or brown spot, then keratinized elements begin to form, gradually forming keratoma tissues. Outwardly, the skin horn looks like a convex tubercle, which rises strongly above the skin and has an uneven keratinized surface, crumbling areas, flaky scales. Some of these formations look like a flat, light gray plaque with an extremely dense texture.
Skin horn can be of primary or secondary nature - it appears as a result of a pathological process caused by other ailments, such as tuberculosis, lupus erythematosus, etc. There are single or multiple neoplasms on the face (forehead area, around the nose and lips, on the eyelids), mucous membranes of the mouth, genitals, scalp, ears, rarely - on the body.
Follicular keratomas
This type of formation looks like a node with even borders of pink or flesh color, the size is no more than 1.5 cm. The follicular keratoma of the skin (photo on the right) has an uneven surface with small tubercles that rise slightly above the skin. In the center of the neoplasm there is a depression or a flat gray scale. The keratoma most often affects the cheeks, the region of the nasolabial triangle, the border of the lips, the head, and occasionally the limbs and body.
Solar keratomas
In the beginning, the disease is manifested by multiple scaly elements, slightly rising above the surface of the skin. Later they transform into plaques surrounded by erythematous tissues. The scales are rough and hard to the touch, they are easy to separate fromneoplasms. Solar keratoma is localized most often on the face, hands, feet, back.
This formation is classified as a precancerous disease. Keratomas can disappear on their own and appear later on the same area of the skin.
Angiokeratomas
The tumor looks like a nodule of blue, red, black colors. It is formed by cells of the papillary layer of the epidermis with inclusions of the vascular network. Diameter of neoplasms is 1-10 mm, nodules rarely have clear boundaries and regular shapes. Angiokeratomas can be observed in newborns, they look like hemangiomas.
The location of such neoplasms depends on their variety: papular angiokeratoma is localized on the abdomen or back, limited - on the skin of the extremities, Fordyce's angiokeratoma affects the skin of the genital organs.
How dangerous are keratomas?
Basically, such neoplasms do not threaten the he alth and life of a person, while they represent a pronounced cosmetic defect. Large-sized formations greatly spoil the appearance of a person, especially when localized in open areas of the skin. With constant friction of the keratoma with clothing or frequent injury, there is a risk of penetration of fungal or bacterial microflora, as a result of which pyoderma, microbial eczema may develop. As a result of tissue damage, infection with the human papillomavirus, herpes is not excluded.
Some types of keratomas degenerate into malignant tumors (solar, horny). In this case, the area aroundneoplasms become inflamed, painful, itching and bleeding appear. Therefore, if a skin keratoma is diagnosed, treatment should not be postponed, you should contact a specialist as soon as possible.
How to get rid of keratomas?
Removal of a keratoma is necessary if the neoplasm interferes and causes some discomfort. There are several ways to eliminate such a defect. Each method has its own advantages.
Laser
To date, removal of keratoma by laser is the most common way with which you can quickly and almost without pain to get rid of the neoplasm. This technique has no contraindications, after such a procedure, the recurrence of keratoma is minimal.
Operative method
Surgical excision is an inexpensive and classic way to solve the problem. The method consists in removing neoplasms from the surface of the skin with a scalpel. Such a procedure can be performed in almost any specialized medical institution, however, after removing a keratome in this way, scars on the skin are not excluded.
Radiosurgery
Today, this method of removing neoplasms is recommended by many experts. During the procedure, you can get rid of various skin defects, while the surrounding tissues are not damaged.
Nitrogen
This method also eliminates keratomas. It consists in cauterization of neoplasms with nitrogen, already after 5-7 days of keratomafalls off, leaving behind a small pink trail. During the removal process, discomfort may occur, but in general the procedure is painless.
With such a defect as a skin keratoma, treatment should be prescribed only by a specialist. The doctor will examine the problem areas of the skin and advise the most optimal method for eliminating the neoplasm.
Keratomas: treatment with folk remedies
With such a pathology, traditional medicine methods are also effective:
- Wash the young leaves of aloe, put in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator for 3 days. Then defrost at room temperature and apply to the affected area of the skin, leave overnight, wipe the neoplasm with salicylic alcohol in the morning. The course of treatment is 3 weeks.
- Grate potatoes on a fine grater, apply the resulting slurry to the keratoma area, cover with cotton cloth on top and wrap with cling film. After 40 minutes, rinse off with non-hot water.
- Take 2 juniper and 10 bay leaves, chop, add butter (100 mg) and fir oil (20 drops). Lubricate neoplasms daily with the resulting ointment.
- For the treatment of prussic keratomas, castor oil is used. It is preheated and rubbed on the affected areas of the skin.
- To get rid of keratomas, as well as to prevent their recurrence, celandine is used. An infusion of stems and leaves of a dry plant is made (2 tablespoons of raw materials are poured into 25 ml of water), used for lotions and wipingleather.
- Walnut in combination with vegetable oil is an effective tool in the fight against skin keratomas. Slightly unripe fruits should be poured with vegetable oil preheated to 45 ºС (in a ratio of 1:6, respectively). Put the mixture in a thermos and insist for a day, then cool and filter. Rub the resulting balm into problem areas of the skin for 14 days.
- To prevent the development of keratoma, it is recommended to include foods containing vitamin P in your diet. These are buckwheat, legumes, citrus fruits, dill, parsley, purple berries, green tea, burdock leaf infusion.
Prevention measures
To prevent the formation of keratomas, first of all, it is recommended to limit exposure to direct sunlight, regularly use sunscreens with a high SPF factor.
You should protect your skin when in contact with harsh chemicals, wear loose clothing made from natural fabrics.
Proper nutrition and a he althy lifestyle have a positive effect on the state of the whole organism and, in particular, significantly reduce the risk of formation and further development of such a skin defect as keratomas. What is it and how to deal with this phenomenon, you learned from this article. We hope you find the information useful. Stay he althy!
