Thickening of the skin on the fingers treatment. Rough skin on the fingers is not a sentence. Lenticular and disseminated hyperkeratosis

Roughening of the skin sometimes occurs on the fingers. And this sometimes happens very quickly - literally within a few days. At first, people, faced with such an unusual phenomenon, try to cope on their own - they use all kinds of therapeutic baths, smear with fat cream, etc. And only after the appearance of painful deep cracks on the skin of the fingers, they come to dermatologist for a consultation. They are diagnosed with hyperkeratosis.

Hyperkeratosis is a diagnosis that denotes not one, but a number of diseases accompanied by coarsening of the skin. Hyperkeratosis is manifested by a violation, the growth of dead cells up to the formation of a whole area covered with a stratum corneum. Roughening of the skin of the fingers is a non-dangerous disease, but requires its own treatment. And for this you need to understand the reasons.

Causes of rough skin on the fingers

There are many reasons for the overgrowth of epidermal cells of the skin. Often such a pathology is observed in persons whose professional activities are associated with constant pressure on these fingers - say, guitarists, shoemakers. The parts of the skin in contact with the strings become horny and form a kind of protection for the skin of the fingers. Also, workers dealing with sand, tar, tar, etc. suffer from excessive cell growth. The degeneration of skin cells can cause malignant formation on the skin.

Another reason is hormonal changes associated with age. In the menopause, many women on the fingers and palms of the skin coarsens, an excessive layer of grayish or yellowish color is formed. Sometimes the keratinized parts are covered with painful and deep cracks.

In children and adolescents, keratinized skin of the fingers is a serious symptom, sometimes. Various viral diseases provoke the appearance of skin roughening, as well as a lack of vitamins (in particular, vitamin A), hormonal disorders. Keratosis can also be triggered by metabolic disorders, poor nutrition, and diseases of the digestive tract.

Epithelial cells can also grow due to a tendency to allergic reactions to various cosmetics or household powders.

Sometimes a seal of varying degrees of hardness and size appears under the skin on the fingers. This is an uncomfortable phenomenon that interferes with everyday life, can cause pain and cause unreasonable concern.

The place of appearance with the same frequency are the fingers and toes. Sometimes they are accompanied by redness, in some cases - fever.

To determine the causes and prescribe the necessary therapy, you need to contact the following specialists:

• Therapist;
• Dermatologist;
• Surgeon;
• Oncologist.
  Causes

The reasons for the appearance of such tumors are different and can have serious consequences, so for the diagnosis and etiology of the neoplasm in the very first days, you should contact a specialist.

Lipoma is one of the most common causes. The second name used in everyday life is wen, because it consists of a dense accumulation of fat cells. This is a benign soft formation, always with clear outlines. Wen are never accompanied by redness. The most common places where lipomas appear are the scalp, armpits, neck, chest and back.

Despite the fact that lipomas are based on fat cells, it does not depend on how thin or full a person is, so it will not be possible to get rid of it when losing weight. The most common reason for visiting a doctor is aesthetic displeasure.

Diagnosed in several stages:

• Examination by a doctor;
• Puncture to provide a tissue fragment with subsequent study of its nature;
• For a more accurate conclusion, they carry out: ultrasound, x-ray, electroroentgen, contrast x-ray, MRI.

Treatment:

1. Classical surgical removal with local anesthesia.
2. Endoscopic surgery.
3. Removal with a laser (with the shortest healing period).
4. Electrocoagulation method (directed action by ordered movement of electrons).
5. radio wave surgery.

After removal, relapses are possible if a small piece of fat cells remains fragmentarily in the cavity during the operation.

Atheroma

Atheroma is very similar in manifestations to the previous diagnosis, but has a number of differences. This cyst is a strongly elongated sebaceous gland with a closed excretory duct. Inside the atheroma is the secret of the sebaceous gland - fat, it gradually accumulates, having no way out, and the seal on the finger of the hand becomes more and more.

To the touch, atheroma is quite dense, has clear edges. The main difference from a lipoma is that the skin over this formation cannot be folded. In some cases, the surface acquires a bluish tint, sometimes at the top it is possible to see the point of the sebaceous duct.

In a neglected state, it passes into the stage of suppuration, becomes inflamed, causes fever and pain.

Diagnosis put after an external examination.

Treatment:

1. Dissection of the skin, followed by exfoliation.
2. radiosurgical removal.

If the appeal to the doctor occurred at an early stage, then cosmetic sutures can be used, the incision heals quickly and leaves no marks.

Hygroma

This subcutaneous ball is inactive. It is a collection of serous fluid in the thickness of the dermis, surrounded by a serous bag. Local hemorrhage may be added to the content.

Most often occurs on the wrists of the hand. It happens as a result of injuries or prolonged physical exertion on certain areas of the body. With a late visit to the doctor, as a rule, the addition of infections and suppuration is detected.

Diagnostics:

• General blood analysis.
• General urine analysis.
• Analysis of glucose levels.
• Blood chemistry.
• A study for the presence of hepatitis, HIV infection and syphilis to exclude these diseases.

Treatment:

1. warming up.
2. Paraffin therapy.
3. Applications with therapeutic mud.
4. Irradiation with ultraviolet radiation and x-rays.
5. Puncture with aspiration of serous fluid.
6. Bursectomy (surgical intervention) using local anesthesia. The duration of manipulations is 20 - 30 minutes, depending on the complexity. In difficult cases, the evacuation of the serous capsule is performed under general anesthesia.

Rheumatoid arthritis

The size of the nodule is small, its mobility is not observed. Appears due to the inflammatory process in the joint. It can be an independent disease, or it can accompany brucellosis, gout or tuberculosis.

Diagnostics:

• X-ray - a picture of the joint (for small joints - magnifying pictures).
• Tomography.
• Arthrography.
• Thermography.
• Scintigraphy.
• Measurement of the range of motion of the affected joint.
• Laboratory analysis of joint fluid.

The final diagnosis should be confirmed by a rheumatologist.

Book an appointment with a mycologist

Treatment:

1. Oral administration of steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and their puncture injection into the joint capsule.
2. Physiotherapy (electrophoresis, ultraviolet radiation, amplipulse, phonophoresis)
3. Mud applications and balneological procedures.
4. Therapeutic exercise and massage.
5. The use of stem cells with subsequent cartilage regeneration.
6. Operational intervention.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is caused by dystrophic destructive processes. Accompanied by crunching joints, pain, reduced ability to activity.

Diagnostics similar to rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment:

1. Oral or rectal use of nonsteroidal drugs, sometimes with sedatives.
2. Physiotherapy.
3. Intramuscular injections.
4. Puncture synovial introduction of chondroprotectors.
5. Endoprosthetics.

Valgus deformity of the foot

Hard bump on big toe. It grows gradually, interferes with walking and contributes to the appearance of corns.

Diagnosis:

• Orthopedic examination.
• Foot x-ray.
• CT scan.
• Plantography - an impression of the foot.

Treatment:

1. Walking in shoes with individual orthopedic insoles.
2. A set of special exercises.
3. Operational intervention.

Felon

This type of compaction on the finger is caused by the multiplication of gneroid microbial organisms. Often occurs on the fingers, less often on the toes. Localized near the nail plate or on the nail phalanx.

Diagnosis occurs by palpation with a bellied probe, in addition, comparative radiography of healthy and affected fingers is used.

Treatment:

1. Darsonvalization.
2. warming up.
3. Surgical opening and drainage of pus.
4. Antibiotic therapy.
5. In extreme cases, amputation.

Fibroma

It is a benign proliferation of collagen tissues. The seal is located on the wrist or on the lateral surface of the phalanx of the finger. Does not cause pain. In some cases, the skin over the seal darkens. It is caused by a lack of vitamin A, sudden weight loss, damage to the hands, constant contact with water.

Establishing diagnosis:

• Surgeon's examination.
• Scraping from the seal with the exception of the presence of malignant cells.

Treatment:

1. Classical surgical removal.
2. laser removal.
3. Radio wave removal.

Warts

Rounded dense outgrowths on the skin of various sizes. The causative agent is papillomavirus. They tend to relapse and spread throughout the body. They are dangerous because they can go from a benign to a malignant form.

Diagnostics:

• Examination by a dermatologist.
• Biopsy of the cornea.

Treatment:

1. Destruction by local applications of special solutions.
2. Cryodestruction.
3. Destruction by current.
4. Laser removal.
5. classical surgery.

The tissue sample after removal should be sent for histology.

Malignant tumors

A gradually increasing nodule that does not hurt, does not itch, has fuzzy edges. Most often localized near the lymph nodes. Growth is happening at a fast pace. On palpation, it is felt that the seal has grown together with the epidermis.

Diagnostics:

• X-ray.
• Endoscopy.
• Cytology and histology.
• Extensive clinical blood and urine tests.
• Thermography.

Treatment:

1. Surgical removal.
2. Radiation therapy.
3. Chemotherapy.
4. Hormone therapy.
5. Biotherapy.

In order to prevent the development and aggravation of symptoms, it is necessary to seek qualified help immediately after the discovery of seals on the hands, since ignoring the problem for a long time or using traditional medicine methods can have negative consequences. Lack of medical care can cause aggravation of some of these diseases up to death.

Hyperkeratosis of the skin is a diagnosis that is made when violations of the natural processes occurring in the upper layer of the skin are detected. With its development, keratin cells, which are the basis of the stratum corneum, begin to rapidly divide, while dead cells cease to exfoliate on their own. As a result, the skin becomes rough, thick, and sensitivity is noticeably reduced in the affected areas. A person ceases to experience pain from a sharp touch or a change in temperature.

Hyperkeratosis is not a disease, but a cosmetic defect. It doesn't appear on its own. Various factors can provoke its development. Experts divide them into two large groups: external and internal.

External causes are those that are not associated with a change in the internal state of the body. So, for example, hyperkeratosis of the feet occurs when wearing tight, uncomfortable shoes that create strong pressure or friction on certain areas of the sole. In women, hyperkeratosis of the soles occurs due to prolonged wearing of high-heeled shoes. A similar cosmetic defect is detected in almost all obese or tall people. The physiological features of the structure of the feet can also provoke the appearance of hyperkeratosis. Flat feet, clubfoot, deformity of the fingers, valgus bones - all this disrupts the natural load on the legs and forms the wrong pressure, which starts the processes of compaction of the epidermis.

The cause of hyperkeratosis of the palms is the systematic use of aggressive household chemicals. On the body, the compaction of the stratum corneum can provoke the wearing of synthetic clothing, excessive passion for solarium. The abuse of alcohol and smoking negatively affects the condition of the skin.

There are a number of diseases, the development of which can be indirectly indicated by the appearance of hyperkeratosis. In this case, it will be impossible to get rid of it without eliminating the cause. Among the endogenous factors provocateurs, the most common are:

• fungal skin lesions;
• violation of the production of thyroid hormones;
• diabetes;
• skin pathologies (psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, ichthyosis, skin dyskeratosis, stucco keratosis, Devergi's disease);
• vascular atherosclerosis;
• hypovitaminosis (an excess of vitamin A);
• violation of the menstrual cycle (in women);
• infections of the genitourinary system (gonorrhea, syphilis);
• oncology;
• puberty;
• skin aging.

Foot fungus is one of the causes of hyperkeratosis

There are several types of hyperkeratosis. The systematization of a defect is based on various causal factors.

Classification

By the nature of the origin, hyperkeratosis can be idiopathic (primary) and acquired. Primary is diagnosed when there is a hereditary factor that has arisen due to a genetic failure. Acquired occurs in adulthood against the background of exposure to a combination of exogenous and endogenous provocateur factors. According to the mechanism of formation, hyperkeratosis can be of two forms:

1. Polyferative (excessive production of keratin).
2. Retention (delay rejection of dead epithelial cells).

The prevalence of hyperkeratosis is:

1. Limited (focal) - the affected area is small (corns, corns), only the skin of the elbows, knees, feet, palms can be affected.
2. Diffuse (common) - the lesion affects large areas of the body (back, head, limbs).

According to the localization of the disease, experts distinguish seven forms of hyperkeratosis. Their distinguishing features are clearly shown in the following table.

Traditional medicine recipes

It is possible to treat hyperkeratosis with folk remedies at home only at the initial stages of its formation. Good help:

1. Applications with aloe leaves. To ensure maximum therapeutic effect, it is necessary to properly prepare the leaves of the plant. The thickest of them are cut off early in the morning, then doused with boiling water, wrapped in dry gauze and put in the freezer for three days. After the expiration of the period, the leaves are thawed, cut into thin plates. It is they who must be applied to the lesions, fixed with polyethylene and a bandage, and then left overnight. In the morning, the application is removed, the skin is wiped with salicylic alcohol. So that the wounds do not rot, after such treatment it is necessary to give the skin access to air.
2. Application with propolis. A small piece is kneaded and applied in a thin layer to the affected area, tightly fixed with a bandage on top and left for five days. The procedure is repeated three times in a row.
3. Onion skin tincture. It may be useful in the treatment of seborrheic hyperkeratosis. The remedy is prepared as follows: a handful of onion peel is washed under running water, doused with boiling water, dried well, and then poured with a glass of table vinegar. The product is infused in a dark place for two weeks, filtered and used for compresses. On the first day, the compress is applied to the affected area for half an hour, on the second day the duration increases by another half hour. It is necessary to bring the duration of the procedure up to three hours.

When choosing traditional medicine for the treatment of hyperkeratosis, it is important to remember that they can only be part of complex therapy. Their use without eliminating the cause of a cosmetic defect is ineffective.

Differential Diagnosis

A similar clinical picture with hyperkeratosis at different stages of its formation has lichenoid parapsoriasis, stucco keratosis, and lichen. With the development of these diseases, intense peeling of the skin is also noted. An experienced dermatologist is able to determine the nature of the pathology by its external manifestations. In case of doubt, a biopsy of the affected area is performed. The material obtained in this way is sent for histology. It should give an accurate answer to the question of what disease is detected in this particular patient.

Prevention methods

Knowing what “skin hyperkeratosis” is, it is not difficult to imagine how an unpleasant cosmetic defect can be prevented. There are several rules that everyone must adhere to without exception. Experts recommend:

1. Pay more attention to the selection of clothes and shoes. Purchase those wardrobe items that are made of natural fabrics strictly in size, choose something that will not hinder movement, exert excessive friction and pressure on certain parts of the body.
2. Women should not wear high heels every day, high platform shoes for men: convenience should be higher than beauty.
3. It is important to carefully observe the rules of personal hygiene: bathe twice a day, use a pumice stone if necessary, regularly change underwear and socks.
4. Fight excess weight.
5. Eat right, refuse strict restrictive diets.
6. Do not neglect physical activity.
7. If possible, observe the regime of work and rest.
8. Walk outdoors for at least an hour every day.
9. Avoid stress, nervous and physical overexertion. If an exciting situation arises, you should immediately take natural sedatives (tea with mint, drops of motherwort or valerian).
10. Once a year, undergo a preventive medical examination.

Despite the fact that hyperkeratosis is considered a cosmetic problem, its appearance cannot be ignored. Only timely treatment will help to avoid the occurrence of unwanted complications. If you find the first signs of pathology, you need to contact a dermatologist.

Skin diseases to which a person is susceptible are numerous and varied. Among them are those that cause pain, itch and cause stress in the patient. There are also those that are almost asymptomatic, in most cases causing the patient to suffer only from their own unattractiveness. Hyperkeratosis - can occur in both the first and second versions.

Hyperkeratosis is a disease whose name comes from the Greek words "hyper" and "keras", meaning "many" and "horn". It is characterized by a violation of the natural processes occurring in the epidermis. Keratin cells begin to multiply rapidly, at the same time ceasing to exfoliate, as a result of which the patient's skin is partially or completely covered with keratinized spots. Sometimes the patches can crack, causing pain. In the affected areas of the skin, sensitivity to external influences always decreases - from a light touch to changes in temperature.

Causes

Like any disease, hyperkeratosis does not occur on its own. The causes that cause it are usually divided into two groups:

• Endogenous. These include those factors that are concentrated in the human body itself - the hyperkeratosis caused by them disappears only if the underlying disease is cured. Among them:
  • heredity, in which excessive reproduction of keratin cells is characteristic not only for the patient himself, but also for his parents, and is inherited from them;
  • hypothyroidism, in which the production of thyroid hormones is disrupted;
  • fungal diseases of the nails;
  • skin diseases - from psoriasis to red hair lichen;
  • leg diseases - vascular atherosclerosis, flat feet, varicose veins, problems with the ligamentous apparatus and joints, protrusion of the lateral bone, deformity of the metatarsal bones;
  • an excess of vitamin A in the body;
  • menstrual irregularities and past diseases of the genitourinary system;
  • excess weight.
• exogenous. These include factors that lie in the external environment - hyperkeratosis will pass, it is worth changing the environment. These include:
  • tight, uncomfortable shoes of the wrong size;
  • systematic wearing of high-heeled shoes;
  • friction clothing - usually synthetic;
  • systematic use of aggressive detergents without gloves;
  • excessive passion for tanning;
  • abuse of bad habits, such as alcohol and smoking.

Due to certain reasons, hyperkeratosis of certain types develops. Their classification is branched and extensive.

Classification

It is customary to divide hyperkeratosis by localization:

• follicular affects those parts of the body where there are hair follicles - elbows, buttocks, hips, back and chest, head;
• lenticular affects the thighs, legs, feet, auricles, hands or oral mucosa;
• nail affects the nails themselves and the skin under them, occurs due to a fungus and is often combined with foot disease;
• hyperkeratosis of the feet affects only the feet, moreover, it can be expressed in different ways:
  • corns - keratinized areas of the skin, of which there are nine types;
  • complete keratinization, painful cracks occur;
• Cervical hyperkeratosis is rare and only affects women.

Hyperkeratosis can also be:

• acquired, developed in adulthood as a result of a certain way of life;
• hereditary, developed solely due to a genetic failure.

Each form has its own specific symptoms.

Symptoms of follicular hyperkeratosis

Follicular hyperkeratosis appears due to the fact that the keratinized skin particles do not exfoliate and clog the hair follicles. As a result, the patient has:

• dryness of the affected area;
• feeling of roughness of the skin;
• small pointed tubercles in place of the follicle.

The follicular form does not cause discomfort in the patient and can go unnoticed for many years. It has only two negative sides:

• aesthetic unattractiveness, which becomes noticeable when a large area is affected;
• the chance that the clogged follicle will become inflamed, fester and hurt.

This form develops most often on the hips, knees, elbows and head.

Symptoms of lenticular hyperkeratosis

The lenticular form most often affects older men - it is extremely rare in women. It is characterized by plaques no larger than 0.5 millimeters, located on top of the follicles, having an unpleasant yellowish color. If you pick off the plaque, there will be a depression filled with blood, and no pain will appear.

The plaques never coalesce and affect the shins, thighs, arms, and auricles.

It is not worth prying plaques - there will be no benefit from this, but there will be a possibility of infection.

Symptoms of foot hyperkeratosis

The feet are the most disease-prone part of the human body. Too many reasons concern them.

Usually, the symptoms of hyperkeratosis of the feet are very diverse and numerous:

• calluses, which may be:
  • dry, which are localized where the main supporting points of the foot are located - on the fingers and on the heel - and are often accompanied by pain when pressed;
  • rod, which are localized under the fingers and on the ball of the foot, and are dry calluses with a clear rod in the middle, sharply painful when pressed;
  • soft, which are localized between the fingers, where it is often wet, and are accompanied by ulceration of the skin, pain and a predisposition to inflammatory processes.
• cracks, which form most often around the heel, can become wet and are often characterized by severe soreness when pressed;
• damage to the nails, as a result of which the edge of the nail thickens and a mass of coarsened epithelium begins to accumulate under it.

Nail hyperkeratosis can also be observed on the hands. Its symptoms remain the same.

The form affecting the feet is the most painful. If the patient may not be aware of the rest, he will not fail to notice the hyperkeratosis of the feet.

Symptoms of hyperkeratosis of the uterus

The uterine form is quite rare, in two versions:

There are few symptoms in the uterine form:

• white, mold-like plaque that covers the cervix, and sometimes the walls of the vagina;
• increase in natural vaginal discharge.

Not accompanied by pain, does not cause itching.

Only a gynecologist can detect the uterine form during a routine examination, so once a year women need to visit him, regardless of how they feel.

Treatment

Follicular and lenticular hyperkeratosis require very similar treatment:

• ointments with vitamins A and E are used for external use;
• oil solutions with vitamins A and E are used for oral administration;
• peeling with lactic and fruit acids is used, which gently exfoliate excess cells;
• moisturizing lotions and creams are systematically used - preferably twice a day to prevent dry skin;
• if possible, the cause that caused the disease is eliminated.

Do not use pumice and scrubs with large solid particles - this can lead to injury and the subsequent development of the inflammatory process.

Hyperkeratosis of the feet is treated differently:

• comfortable shoes of a suitable size are selected;
• if possible, the causes that caused the disease are eliminated - insoles for flat feet, slimming underwear for varicose expansion, ointments for atherosclerosis are prescribed, a protruding bone is surgically removed;
• the removal of keratinized areas is systematically carried out with the help of penza, scrubs, files and grinding devices;
• urea preparations are used, such as Foretal-plus - different concentrations of the active substance provide a different effect;
• with concomitant damage to the nail, ointments against fungal diseases are used - such as fluconazole, terbinafine - and the removal of an overgrown edge.

A good solution would be to visit a podiatrist or a beauty salon that provides pedicure services.

When removing keratinized skin at home, you should not use blades, knives and other sharp objects - due to low sensitivity, the risk of injury is too high.

The uterine form requires the mandatory participation of a doctor - no woman can cope with it herself. The doctor will:

• comprehensive diagnostics, finding out what caused the disease, and refer the patient to specialists who can solve the underlying problem;
• elimination of the inflammatory process, which often accompanies hyperkeratosis;
• laser coagulation or cryotherapy, during which the keratinized parts of the epidermis will be removed.

In the event that the disease has already passed into an advanced form and has taken the form of a malignant tumor rather than simple keratinization, a surgical operation will be performed to remove it.

Unlike other forms, the uterine one is not only unaesthetic or painful, but also truly dangerous. It is a must to treat it.

Prevention

Like any disease, hyperkeratosis is easier to prevent than to cure. To prevent its development, you need to follow the simplest rules:

• Personal hygiene is important. Socks should be changed every two days, feet should be washed every evening, foam should be used as needed, and the skin should not dry out either on the face or on the hands.
• Comfort is more important than beauty. You should not walk every day in high heels or in shoes that constantly press on your feet.
• Excess weight is one of the factors provoking the development of many diseases. If possible, you should avoid typing it.
• Proper nutrition will help keep the skin in good condition. You should eat less fried, fatty and spicy food, do not oversalt food, do not eat too much sweet. Fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals and unpretentiously cooked meat are the best recipe for nutrition.
• If possible, you should adhere to a normalized sleep schedule and do not neglect physical activity. Walking once a day for half an hour is undoubtedly useful.
• Stress should be avoided whenever possible. If they have a job or life situation, you should use natural sedatives to alleviate the condition - for example, drink a decoction of mint or lemon balm before bedtime;
• Timely diagnosis. Women should visit the gynecologist once a year.

Hyperkeratosis is a disease that is often mistakenly considered purely cosmetic. Many patients do not even know that they are infected and need treatment. Only conscious care for your health, responsibility and awareness can fix this.

No need to wait for complications - at the first sign of illness, you should visit a doctor.

This video discusses the possible forms of hyperkeratosis, how it can be treated, and the danger it can pose.

Many patients of a dermatologist complain about quickly, within a few days, the appearance of keratinization of the skin on the fingers. Since in the first period of the disease, most people try to eliminate this defect on their own, using warm baths and fatty creams for this, they only go to the doctor when deep painful cracks form on the skin. Hyperkeratosis is a generalized name for a whole group of diseases that cause such a symptom, some of them are very serious. This disease is characterized by disruption of the epidermis, the growth of a layer of dead cells and the formation of areas covered with a stratum corneum.

Causes of hyperkeratosis

The overgrowth of skin surface cells has many causes, both mechanical and pathological. Rough skin on the fingers is often observed in people whose professions are associated with daily pressure on these areas, for example, shoemakers or guitarists. Areas of the skin that come into contact with the strings become horny, forming a layer of cells and protecting the skin. Workers who constantly deal with tar, sand or tar suffer from excessive growths of cells on the fingers and palms, and this is dangerous because the degeneration of such cells can cause a malignant skin disease.

Age-related changes in the hormonal background entail keratoderma: during menopause, some women develop layers of skin on the palms and fingers, they are diffuse, and have a grayish or yellowish color. Sometimes keratinization is covered with deep painful cracks. Senile seals, plaques on the hands usually do not bother their owners, but there is a risk of degeneration of such cells into cancerous ones.

Horny skin on the fingers of children and adolescents is a symptom of a serious illness, so keratoderma is most often caused by a gene mutation. Provoking factors can be various viral diseases, hormonal disruptions, lack of vitamin A in the body, and the cause of the lack can be both external and internal. Poor nutrition and diseases of the digestive system, cancer and metabolic disorders are the main reasons for the incomplete absorption of vitamin A, which in turn provokes keratosis.

The cause of the proliferation of epithelial cells is sometimes an allergic reaction to a cosmetic product or washing powder. Excess consumption of food allergens also causes the appearance of horny cell layers.

Symptoms of keratosis

First of all, a patient with keratoderma notices that he has rough skin on his fingers, and skin softeners do not bring the expected result. Then, after a sufficiently long period of time, the layer of cells becomes thick, the tissue under it dies, the edges of the stratum corneum acquire a purple hue. In the thickening itself, deep, painful, bleeding cracks form, the nails become bumpy, irregular in shape.

The symptoms of professional or mechanical keratosis, which is the body's response to local skin irritation, are much less pronounced. Constant pressure on the fingertips leads to the formation of calluses, and then the skin coarsens, the surface cells of the epidermis die off, do not exfoliate, as a result of which keratinization occurs. Professional keratosis can also be accompanied by the formation of cracks in the stratum corneum, but it is limited only to those areas of the skin that are periodically injured without spreading further.

Follicular keratosis most often forms on the flexor surfaces of the extremities, but can also be localized on the hands. The patient notices that the skin on the hands is pimpled and tough. Follicular keratosis, in addition to a cosmetic defect, does not annoy the patient, but can spread throughout the body. One of the causes of this form of the disease is heredity: according to statistics, people whose parents had a history of follicular keratosis are more likely to get it at the age of fifteen to twenty-five.

Treatment of keratoses

Keratoses associated with the professional activities of patients, with exposure to toxic substances, such as arsenic or tar, are difficult to treat until the person stops doing this type of activity. The disease can last for years, and go away completely on its own when an employee is fired or changes their profession.

At the first signs of unreasonable roughening of the skin on the fingers, it is necessary to carefully adjust your diet, introduce vitamin complexes and an oil solution of vitamin A into it. Locally, thoroughly clean the skin on your hands every evening, lubricate the roughened areas with a nourishing cream with the addition of vitamin A. A good result is the use of gloves Spa Belle, they moisturize the skin, act gently and gently, highlighting the emollient and beneficial components of the gel impregnation. You can buy silicone gloves in the online store.

If the symptoms of keratosis are severe enough, then you need to see a doctor for a complete examination and identify the cause of the disease. It is possible that keratinization of the skin is caused by some disease, and its treatment will help eliminate the unpleasant symptom. Topically applied ointments and creams containing healing and softening components.

At any stage of the development of the disease in the inflammatory process, it is desirable to use ointments containing antibiotics and steroids. They are used in short courses to relieve inflammation, and then they use wound healing drugs, such as Panthenol or Solcoseryl, which enhance tissue regeneration. Baths with astringent decoctions of herbs and compresses with plantain or aloe juice are also quite effective in the symptomatic treatment of keratoses.

Prevention of keratosis

The main treatment for keratosis of any etiology is the prevention of the development of the disease. But since it is not known for certain what is the impetus for the onset of the disease, you just need to observe general hygiene, do not expose your hands to excessive stress and take good care of them. Sagging skin on the hands, calluses and redness is a signal for immediate action: stopping any diet, taking vitamins A and E, and cosmetic procedures.

People whose professions involve the development of this disease, or who have had cases of this disease in their family, are advised to carefully monitor their health, since keratosis, although it does not threaten human life, sometimes makes it unbearable. Horny skin reduces the sensitivity of the hands, interferes with fine work, and cracks make any movement impossible due to extreme pain. The duration and, sometimes, the failure of the treatment of horny growths is an occasion to think about measures to prevent an unpleasant disease.