Porokeratosis has several names that are associated with it. These include senile keratosis, senile warts, seborrheic verruca, barnacles, brown warts, and basal cell papilloma. It is a clonal keratinization disorder, which manifests as a cornoid lamella. A cornoid lamella is composed of closely stacked parakeratotic cells that extend throughout the stratum corneum.
Currently, there are five variations of porokeratosis that are known. Here are the five clinical variations of porokeratosis: porokeratosis palmaris et plantaris disseminate, punctate porokeratosis, linear porokeratosis, disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis, as well as classic porokeratosis of Mibelli. Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis is rather widespread in the United States. The remaining four variants are rarer in occurrence.
Fair-skinned people are the most at risk to porokeratosis. Porokeratosis is actually rather rare among darker-skinned individuals.
The two variants, porokeratosis palmaris et plantaris disseminate and classic porokeratosis of Mibelli, affect twice as many men than women. As for disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis, it occurs three times as many females in comparison to males. In the case of linear porokeratosis, however, it shows up in proportional numbers between men and women.
In terms of who it affects, anybody can have porokeratosis palmaris et plantaris disseminate and linear porokeratosis no matter what their age. Classic porokeratosis of Mibelli, however, typically develops at an early age (childhood). Individuals afflicted with disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis often fall within the 30-40 age bracket.
What are the factors that can cause porokeratosis? Porokeratosis has been said to be caused by excessive exposure to the sun’s rays, immunosuppression, ultraviolet light exposure, therapeutic phototherapy, radiation therapy, as well as hereditary. There has also been a study that showed that of all renal transplant patients, 10 percent later on had porokeratosis.
Patients of porokeratosis have to make sure that they avoid any unnecessary exposure to the sun. They should apply sunblock and wear protective clothing.
There are numerous methods that can be part of porokeratosis treatment. Treatment for this disorder must be individualized. Doctors have to think about certain factors such as the lesion’s anatomical location, the size of the lesion, risk of malignancy, the aesthetic and functional concerns, and the patient’s preference.
For numerous patients, sun protection and the usage of emollients can be all that is required for relief. The patient must also be watchful for signs of malignant degeneration.
Surgical care is yet one more instance of a porokeratosis treatment method. For lesions that have become malignant as time has passed by, surgery is necessary. In the case of malignant degeneration, the best way to treat them is excision. Cryotherapy, electrodessication, curettage, diamond fraise dermabrasion, and laser therapy have also been used to treat porokeratosis.
