Keratolytic

Keratolytic

Keratolytic (IPAEng|ˌkɛrətoʊˈlɪtɨk) therapy is treatment to remove warts and other lesions in which the epidermis produces excess skin. In this therapy, acid medicine, such as salicylic acid is put on the lesion. Keratolytic therapy thins the skin on and around the lesion. It causes the outer layer of the skin to loosen and shed.

Keratolytics can also be used to soften keratin, a major component of the skin. This serves to improve the skin's moisture binding capacity, which is beneficial in the treatment of dry skin. Such agents (keratolytics) include urea, lactic acid, and allantoin.

While cytostatic agents such as zinc pyrithione, found in shampoos such as Head and Shoulders are first line, keratolytics (salicylic acid and sulfur) can also be used in the treatment of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.

Sulfur and salicylic acid can also be used to treat acne and cradle cap, though sulfur products can actually worsen acne in some cases. Resorcinol is another keratolytic that is usually combined with sulfur.

ee also

* Treatment of warts by keratolysis


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  • keratolytic — Relating to keratolysis. * * * ker·a·to·lyt·ic .ker ət ō lit ik adj relating to or causing keratolysis keratolytic n a keratolytic agent (as salicylic acid) * * * ker·a·to·lyt·ic (ker″ə to litґik) 1. pertaining to, characterized by, or …   Medical dictionary

  • keratolytic — I. |kerəd.ō|lid.ik adjective Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary kerat + lytic : relating to or causing keratolysis II. noun ( s) : a keratolytic agent (as salicylic acid) …   Useful english dictionary

  • Keratolytic winter erythema — Classification and external resources ICD 10 L53.9 ICD 9 695.9 …   Wikipedia

  • keratolytic — adjective Pertaining to keratolysis …   Wiktionary

  • keratolytic — ker·a·to·lyt·ic …   English syllables

  • keratolysis — keratolytic /ker euh toh lit ik/, adj. /ker euh tol euh sis/, n. 1. the loosening or shedding of the horny layer of the epidermis. 2. Pathol. a skin disorder characterized by periodic shedding of the epidermis. [1895 1900; KERATO + LYSIS] * * * …   Universalium

  • resorcinol — An external antiseptic in psoriasis, eczema, seborrhea, and ringworm; pyrocatechol and hydroquinone are isomers of r.. SYN: resorcin. r. monoacetate used externally in the treatment of acne …   Medical dictionary

  • salicylic acid — A component of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), derived from salicin and made synthetically; used externally as a keratolytic agent, antiseptic, and fungicide. * * * sal·i·cyl·ic acid .sal ə .sil ik n a crystalline phenolic acid C7H6O3 that is …   Medical dictionary

  • Sulfacetamide/sulfur — Combination of Sulfacetamide Sulfonamide antibacterial Sulfur Keratolytic Clinical data Licence data US FDA …   Wikipedia

  • Salicylic acid — Salicylic acid …   Wikipedia

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