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Dyskeratosis is a medical term that refers to the abnormal growth and maturation of skin cells, resulting in thickened, scaly, or rough patches of skin. Dyskeratosis can occur in various skin conditions and disorders, including genetic disorders such as dyskeratosis congenita and acquired conditions such as actinic keratosis.
Dyskeratosis congenita is a rare genetic disorder that affects the development and function of multiple organs and tissues, including the skin, bone marrow, and lungs. It is caused by mutations in genes that regulate the production and maintenance of telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division. Dyskeratosis congenita is characterized by a triad of clinical features: abnormal skin pigmentation, nail dystrophy, and leukoplakia, which are white patches on the oral mucosa.
Acquired dyskeratosis can occur in response to chronic sun exposure, resulting in actinic keratosis, which is a pre-cancerous lesion of the skin. Actinic keratosis typically appears as rough, scaly, or crusted patches on sun-exposed skin, such as the face, scalp, arms, and hands. If left untreated, actinic keratosis can progress to squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer.
Treatment for dyskeratosis depends on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. In dyskeratosis congenita, treatment may involve bone marrow transplantation or other supportive therapies to manage complications such as anemia, infections, and pulmonary fibrosis. In actinic keratosis, treatment may involve topical or oral medications to remove or destroy the lesion, cryotherapy, or surgery. Sun protection and avoidance is also recommended to prevent further damage to the skin.