Hyperkeratosis is the thickening of the outer layer of the skin, which contains a protein known as keratin that helps to protect the body against infiltration by water and other chemical and biological agents with which it comes in contact every day. This type of skin thickening is often a natural response to pressure, rubbing or irritation of the skin, although there are a number of possible causes.
Causes by Type of Hyperkeratosis
The type of hyperkeratosis is an important factor when discussing the cause of the condition. As such, the various forms with their likely causes are listed below:
- Warts: small bumps caused by an infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) anywhere on the skin, often on the hands and feet.
- Corns: build up of dead skin cells caused by repeated friction or pressure to the toes or other areas.
- Calluses: accumulation of dead skin cells due to repeated friction or pressure on the soles of the feet, palms of the hands of other areas.
- Chronic eczema: inflammation of the skin caused by allergies, irritants or other triggers.
- Lichen planus: lacy white patches inside the mouth or itchy, scaly, violaceous patches on the skin caused by an abnormal immune system response.
- Actinic keratosis: flat, red patches of skin caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight.
- Seborrheic keratosis: small brown or black spots anywhere on the skin with no known cause.
- Inherited conditions: thick, scaly skin caused by genetic susceptibility.
People who have dentures are more likely to have problems related to hyperkeratosis in the mouth. This is because ill-fitting dentures may rub against the skin in the mouth and cause the condition.
Genetic Hyperkeratosis
In some cases, hyperkeratosis can occur on skin that has not been irritated or exposed to an infection. In such a case it may be caused by an inherited condition. The signs of inherited keratosis usually begin in infancy or childhood and can affect large areas of the body. A widespread, thick, scaly area is a characteristic sign of this type of hyperkeratosis.
A mutation in the KRT1 or KRT10 gene can cause epidermolytic hyperkeratosis. These genes are involved in the production of the keratin proteins 1 and 10, which are present in the epidermis of the skin and provide strength. A mutation in one of these genes can result in modified keratin proteins and affect the strength of the keratin in the epidermis. As a result, the skin may blister and become damaged easily, even in response to mild injury. It is not known how these mutations lead to hyperkeratosis.
Epidermolytic hyperkeratosis is usually inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. This means one copy of a mutated gene is able to cause the disorder and can be inherited from either parent. If one parent is affected, each child has a 50% chance of inheriting the disease. In rare cases, the KRT10 gene can be inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, such that an individual must inherit a copy of a gene mutation from both parents in order to be affected.
However, people with no family history of epidermolytic hyperkeratosis are often affected, and a spontaneous gene mutation is thought to account for approximately half of all cases of the condition.
References
- https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/epidermolytic-hyperkeratosis
- http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1107012-overview
- http://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/hyperkeratosis-
Further Reading
- All Hyperkeratosis Content
- Hyperkeratosis – Thickening of Keratin in Epidermis
Last Updated: Aug 23, 2018
Written by
Yolanda Smith
Yolanda graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of South Australia and has experience working in both Australia and Italy. She is passionate about how medicine, diet and lifestyle affect our health and enjoys helping people understand this. In her spare time she loves to explore the world and learn about new cultures and languages.
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