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Hyperkeratosis

Hyperkeratosis is an umbrella term for a number of skin conditions that can occur. One of the most common types that many people will experience in their lifetime occurs in the form of calluses and corns. When people, particularly women, wear shoes that are too tight or constricting, the skin rubs against the shoe, creating a point of friction that irritates the area. In order to protect the skin, thick layers of skin cells form creating a corn or a callus.

Calluses also frequently occur on fingers or palms of hands of people who work frequently with their hands. These hard bumps are often not painful, just a cosmetic annoyance. However, often corns on the heels or the side of the foot can be very painful when wearing certain types of shoes. You should never attempt to remove a corn or callus yourself; the result may be a serious injury or infection. Instead you should contact your health care provider or a podiatrist about having the corn removed. Another, less invasive, option to surgery is using a specialized microdermabrasion cream that is prepared uniquely to soften the toughened skin of a corn or callus. By using a cream such as Hand & Foot Microdermabrasion Crème by DermaNew, you can significantly soften the affected area, even eliminating it all together.

Another very common form of hyperkeratosis is a wart. Warts are extremely common because they are transmitted very easily throughout the population through the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). You can easily contract warts through direct contact with some one who is affected, or even by walking barefoot on locker room floors or by swimming pools. When the body is infected by a wart, the skin surrounding the area forms thick layers of skin cells creating the bump or nodule that you see. Warts can be painful and an annoyance, but they are generally just embarrassing for the sufferer.

Warts can be removed in the doctor's office by using a liquid nitrogen formula that freezes the warts, also known as cryosurgery. However, you can treat the offending area at home safely and easily by using a gentler product such as the Transversal Planter Patch by Doak Dermatologics. These gentle and pain free patches are simply placed on the affected skin overnight. After only a few treatments, depending on the size of the wart, the wart will be gone, allowing the skin to repair itself and return to normal.

Another more serious type of hyperkeratosis is chronic eczema. This skin disorder is characterized generally by dry, itchy skin, sometimes accompanied by blisters. If left untreated, the area will become tough and thickened, creating hyperkeratosis. Often, eczema is genetic and the condition inherited; however, just as frequently, eczema is caused or worsened by environmental irritants such as strong soaps, cleaners or chemicals. It is important to keep the affected area soft and moisturized in order to avoid hyperkeratosis from occurring. An ointment such as Aquaphor Original Ointment helps to restore the natural moisture in the skin while creating a barrier to outstide irritants.

Eczema patients usually suffer from intense dryness and itchiness, which leads to scratching. Because scratching often makes hyperkeratosis worse, it is important to reduce the itchiness of the affected area. Using a product such as, Oak-n-Ivy CortiCool will soothe and relieve the itchy skin. Look for creams with hydrocortisone as an ingredient, as this active ingredient is formulated to reduce itch.

Women of color often experience hyperkeratosis because of the change in pigmentation of the skin. The areas that are most often affected are the elbows and the knees because of the direct pressure that is applied. When an area of skin is exposed to continual friction, rubbing or irritation, extra layers of skin cells develop, creating hyperkeratosis and a discoloration of the affected skin. Another common area to experience problems for all women is on the feet.

Often, hyperkeratosis can be prevented by avoiding excessive exposure to the sun, prolonged periods of pressure or friction on the skin, or exposure to chemicals or irritating products. However, if you currently have rough, thick, scaly spots on your skin, it doesn’t mean that you have to live with the problem forever. Using a product such as AmLactin 12% Moisturizing Cream, a prescription strength moisturizer, will help to keep your skin soft and moist, reducing the chance of hyperkeratosis occurring or reoccurring, and keeping your skin looking healthy and beautiful.

Article posted 3/05/2007.

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AmLactin 12% Moisturizing Cream by AmLactin $14.99

CortiCool by Oak-N-Ivy $6.80

Hand & Foot Microdermabrasion Creme by DermaNew $24.00