Keratosis And Pigmentation In Children
A child’s skin is very sensitive, unlike adults. Children’s skin necessitates for a more delicate care because their skin now could possibly determine their skin condition later in life. A good example is freckles. These skin blemishes can spread and grow worse as they get older.
There are certain risks for having skin diseases, and we’ll take the case of keratosis and pigmentation. Melanin and keratin are involved in such skin disorders. The excessive keratin causes keratosis, while excessive melanin causes uneven skin tone. Too much keratin and melanin triggers keratosis and hyperpigmentation respectively. Keratin and melanin are actually necessary to our body. Keratin makes up our nails and hair, while melanin protects the skin. Basically, they do no harm, but overproduction of these can cause unsightly skin.
Keratosis – Keratosis varies by the factor that causes it or its main attributes. Actinic keratosis causes crusty scaly patches to appear on skin, specially those areas that get more sun exposure.
Keratosis Pilaris – Keratosis pilaris resembles goosebumps. It is a genetic follicular condition. Excessive keratin which is accumulated on the hair follicles of the skin causes it.
Seborrheic Keratosis – Have the same characteristics like actinic keratosis, but appear waxy and as if they are stuck on brown warts.
The question is how will you protect your children from them? Actually, the answer is you could not, but you could lower the risks. Since keratoses are caused by many factors, not just the sunlight, but also by genetic factors, it is hard to prevent. If keratosis is inherent in your family, then likelihood of getting it are high. This kind of skin condition has no cure, but it can be remedied or diminished. Options include surgery or skin creams/serums.
Pigmentation of the skin is not really bad, but hyperpigmentation is. Uneven skin tone, age spots and liver spots are forms of pigmentation. Melanin functions to protect the skin from ultraviolet rays. The lighter the skin, the less melanin the skin possess. If your child has prolonged sun exposure everyday, then the probability of pigmentation is great. Covering yourself from too much sunlight with the use of umbrellas is a way to prevent too much sun exposure. Applying sunblock is another way. Uneven skin tone can also be prevented with lotions containing high sun protection factor.
The strength of ultraviolet rays in sunlight during 10 AM up to 4 PM is at its highest so try to avoid staying under the sun at those times. Sunlight is not really harmful, your children also needs it for vitamin D.
