Skin thickening can have various causes, the most common being disorders of the sebaceous glands and the protective cornea. Consequently, not all skin thickening needs to be treated.
What is skin thickening?
Lichenification is the thickening of the skin that is typical of atopic dermatitis. The skin is the most important functional organ of the human being, it serves as a protection against external influences, as a cover of the internal body and performs significant tasks in human metabolism. Although the skin itself is protected by its various layers, hair, horny layers and other components, skin diseases can occur. A rarely occurring skin disease is thickening of the epidermis, or cuticle. This usually occurs as a symptom and complication of another disease, as medically significant in its occurrence can be seen lichenification, tyloma and sebostasis. In sebostasis, the sebaceous glands secrete too little sebum, causing the skin to lose water and appear thickened. Lichenification is the thickening of the skin that occurs in chronic skin diseases, it is typical especially for neurodermatitis. Tyloma is the medical term used to describe the thickening of the skin colloquially known as callus.
Causes
The causes of skin thickening must be differentiated according to the underlying disease. In the case of skin thickening, for example, the development of skin cells is disturbed due to mechanical stress and inflammation. The skin cells suffer a shortened life cycle or insufficient removal of dead skin cells, there is a thickening of the cell walls or excessive proliferation of the same. A thick corneal layer, medically called cornification disorder, is the result. This is visually conspicuous, but serves to protect the skin layers underneath it and should therefore initially be viewed positively. Corneal thickening usually occurs on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands, which are particularly exposed to stress in everyday life, but is possible on all areas of the skin. Lichenifications are caused by long-lasting mechanical, inflammatory or chemical overstimulation of the skin, for example in neurodermatitis or allergies. Sebostasis is attributed to deficient sebum production, which usually occurs as a symptom of aging.
Diseases with this symptom
- Neurodermatitis
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Allergy
- Muckle-Wells syndrome
- Seborrheic keratosis
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Lipoma
- Nodal rose
- Pityriasis rubra pilaris
- Circumscribed scleroderma
- Seborrhea
- Hair follicle inflammation
- Tumor
- Myxedema
Diagnosis and course
Schematic diagram showing the anatomy and structure of the skin. The skin is a sensitive organ. Daily care and medical precautions help against skin aging and skin diseases. Click to enlarge. If the affected person notices thickening of the skin that cannot be explained by mechanical overstimulation and the cornea that can be explained by this, or if the thickening appears to be very severe, he or she should present himself or herself to a dermatologist. The dermatologist will first take a detailed medical history in order to find out about concomitant symptoms of the skin thickening, possible underlying diseases, possible causes and the time of the first appearance of the symptom. This is followed by visual examination of the affected areas of skin and, if necessary, measurement of skin density. This is done either as an estimate with the naked eye or with aids such as a ruler. In most cases, concrete diagnoses are already apparent during the examination, as the forms of skin thickening differ and have a typical appearance. For example, lichenifications are accompanied by an enlarged field drawing, and local skin thickening is conspicuous in corneas.
Complications
If left untreated, skin thickening is often considered a cosmetic blemish. Discomfort and a lowering of the sense of well-being set in. The affected areas of the body are hidden, which can lead to a feeling of restriction in everyday life. If it is not possible to cover up the thickening of the skin with clothing, there is usually a change in one’s body language out of shame. For example, a handshake is avoided or a greater distance to another person is established. This can cause incomprehension and be understood as rejection.At the affected parts of the body, there is usually a reduced perception of absorbed stimuli. This can be perceived as pleasant and both as unpleasant. If the skin thickening is caused by a skin disease such as atopic dermatitis, long-term administration of medication is usually required. These have side effects and can thus trigger new complications. Skin thickening can be associated with the formation of calluses. These are usually triggered by overuse of the corresponding region. Removal of the cornea therefore usually leads to new formation. It would be advisable to check for existing stresses or to check for poor posture. If inflammation is present, it is usually treated with tablets. Here, too, side effects may occur. Organs can be affected or an intolerance can have corresponding effects.
When should you go to the doctor?
There can be different reasons for skin thickening. What does it depend on whether medical treatment is needed? When is skin thickening a symptom and when does it represent an independent disease? The skin as an envelope of the body functions as a demarcation from the outside world. It consists of several layers. Skin diseases can already occur here, such as a thickening of the epidermis, the so-called epidermis. This thickening of the skin is a symptom, for example, of a sebaceous condition in which the sebaceous glands release too little sebum, whereupon the skin loses fluid and appears thickened. Skin thickening is known in neurodermatitis as well as various skin irritations and skin allergies. All these skin diseases should be presented to a dermatologist. Also among the skin thickenings is the callus. Here can be tried first with own measures such as Abfeilen or the cornea loosening means from the pharmacy to remove something of the cornea thickening. If this proves difficult or if the skin is damaged in the process, it is time to consult a doctor. Occasionally, a thickening of the skin can also appear as a lump. Then a visit to the doctor is definitely recommended, because in addition to benign thickenings, there are still malignant growths that need to be treated as soon as possible.
Treatment and therapy
If the dermatologist has been able to make a clear diagnosis, he will initiate what he considers to be an adequate therapy in consultation with the patient. This, too, is mostly based on the cause of the skin thickening; for example, atopic dermatitis requires rehydration of the skin and sympomatic-systematic treatment. The treatment of the cornea can usually be done by the patient himself by stopping the triggering stimulus and removing the cornea by means of pumice stones, corneal planes or corneal raspses. In addition, there are corneal dissolving substances that can be applied, salicylic acid and urea are the agents of choice. They dissolve the connections of the corneal cells, so that the degradation is accelerated. At the same time, the skin thins and becomes permeable to other drugs again. Urea additionally causes the reduction of skin growth and binds water in the horny layer, which thus becomes smoother and softer. Salicylic acid has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, skin irritations can heal faster. In rare cases, the thickening of the skin is so severe and visually disturbing that surgical removal is necessary. However, some professions also value calluses as protection when performing their jobs, such as gardeners and guitarists.
Outlook and prognosis
Skin thickening does not cause discomfort in every case, so it does not necessarily need to be treated by a doctor. Due to skin thickening, some patients experience decreased self-esteem. Often the skin thickening represents a cosmetic defect and the affected person feels uncomfortable and unattractive with the symptom. This leads to restrictions in everyday life and sometimes to the breaking off of social contacts. Psychological problems rarely arise, but are just as possible. Due to the thickening of the skin, external stimuli can no longer be perceived correctly. This can lead to dangerous restrictions, as cold and heat are not perceived properly. If the skin thickening is due to an allergy or an intolerance, it usually disappears when the respective ingredient has been completely broken down by the body.In this case, medical treatment is aimed at avoiding these ingredients or taking certain medications that can prevent the symptom. In many cases, treatment of skin thickening is possible at home with a quick success. If the skin thickening persists for a longer time and does not disappear by means of self-help, medical advice is necessary. In this case, it may be a different disease.
Prevention
The regeneration of the skin can be supported regardless of the underlying disease present. Creams, ointments and water-oil emulsions are used here as basic therapy and at the same time prevention of skin diseases.
What you can do yourself
Since skin thickening can have a wide variety of causes, it does not have to be treated in every case. For example, a classic cause is the thickening of the corneal layer, which is also called cornification disorder, but it only serves to protect the skin. This cause of skin thickening does not require medical treatment, here only the dead corneal layer must be removed with pumice stones, corneal planes or corneal shavings. Substances such as salicylic acid or urea can also prove helpful, as they dissolve connections between the corneal cells and thus accelerate the breakdown. Once this layer has been removed, the skin begins to thin again and is once more permissible for other medications. Urea is especially helpful in an increased form of skin thickening, as it also reduces skin growth and water is then bound to the corneal layer, making the skin smoother and softer. Salicylic acid, on the other hand, is made for a normally pronounced case of skin thickening. Since it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, the skin irritations can heal faster and the skin can regenerate better. Furthermore, it is recommended to avoid severe cold or heat as much as possible. The reason for this is that stimuli can no longer be perceived well enough. Due to this, the thickening mostly disappears when extreme temperatures are avoided.