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Follicular keratosis Morrow-Brook: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Keratosis pilaris is a condition in which dead skin cells become blocked at the openings of hair follicles.
Cazenave (1856) was the first to describe Morrow-Brook's follicular keratosis under the name "acnae sebacee cornu". Then H. A. Brook and P. A Morrow, having studied the clinical course of the disease, proposed the term "follicular keratosis".
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What causes keratosis pilaris?
Follicular keratosis is a common disease, the cause of which is unknown, but most often is congenital. Previously, it was believed that follicular keratosis is a contagious disease. But this has not been confirmed. Many authors classify it as a genodermatoses.
Histopathology
In the epidermis, hyperkeratosis of the mouths of hair follicles is observed in the form of horny concentric plugs of the thorn type. It is believed that the interfollicular epidermis and sweat gland ducts participate in the formation of thorns. The overgrown epidermis pushes them upward in the form of nodules.
Symptoms of Keratosis Follicularis
The disease follicular keratosis begins in childhood. Follicular keratosis manifests itself with the appearance of dry skin on the palms and soles, moving to the skin of the trunk, the scalp. Then, against this background, disseminated, symmetrically located, usually follicular, dense rounded dry nodules of a grayish color appear, on the top of which horny spines or hair fragments are visible here and there. The entire skin can be affected; diffuse keratoderma (palms and soles) with deep folds and cracks is sharply expressed. The nail plates are thickened, curved, with longitudinal grooves.
Multiple small follicular papules occur mainly on the lateral surface of the arms, thighs and buttocks, and may also affect the face, especially in children. The lesions worsen in winter and improve in summer. Redness of the skin is possible, and the problem is more of a cosmetic nature, but itching may occur.
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Treatment of keratosis pilaris
Keratosis pilaris usually does not require treatment and is often unsatisfactory. Water-soluble petrolatum and water (in equal parts), cold cream or petrolatum with 3% salicylic acid will smooth out the skin. Lotions or creams with buffered lactic acid, 6% salicylic acid gel or cream containing 0.1% tretinoin may also be effective. Creams containing acids should not be given to small children as a burning sensation may occur. Recently, laser has been used successfully to treat facial redness.
High and medium doses of vitamin A (200,000-100,000 U), Aevit, and in severe cases, retinoids are used; externally, 1-2% salicylic ointment, salt baths, and corticosteroids are used.