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Keratosis follicularis is a slow developing genetic skin disease that creates hyperkeratotic papules. As well as lesions, this skin affection causes nail abnormalities and mucous membrane changes. The disease onsets between 6 and 30 years of age and can affect men and women equally.

Symptoms of Keratosis Follicularis

Papules originate and rise from follicles, or the interfollicular epidermis. The lesions can develop into skin colored or yellow brown papules with a greasy uneven, or warty texture. The face, ears, chest and back are where they most commonly appear. These keratotic lesions are progressive and can grow larger or spread. Some patients experience periods of remission and relapse of symptoms. Specific characteristics of these keratotic lesions are individual and differ from one person to another.

Nail changes are important for diagnostic reasons because this symptom is unique to keratosis follicularis. Nails develop red bands and ridges as well as suffer from splitting and sometimes a V-shaped nick at the free margin of the nail. Sometimes hyperkeratoses are seen beneath the nails.

Mucosal lesions appear on approximately 15 percent of patients suffering from keratosis follicularis. They develop in the mouth as white papules with a center depression. Oral lesion can obstruct salivary glands.

Treatment for Keratosis Follicularis

Sunscreen, loose cool clothing, and avoiding hot environments and usually prevent uncomfortable outbreaks. Moisturizing creams that have urea or lactic acid can reduce scaling and hyperkeratosis. Topical steroid creams can help with inflammation. There are also treatments such as topical creams, injections, and oral medications that deal with uncomfortable symptoms of follicular keratosis.

For more sever cases, surgical options are also available. Electrosurgery has been used to treat localized keratosis follicularis. There are also newer procedures being done using carbon dioxide lasers to put lesions into remission phase. A longer lasting method is actually a combination of a few such as carbon dioxide lasers, curettage and the shaving away of lesions. This can put lesions into remission for up to 2 years. Photodynamic therapy consists of acid therapy proven to be effective in about 69 percent of patients, and can put symptoms in remission for up to 3 years.