keratosis

noun

ker·​a·​to·​sis ˌker-ə-ˈtō-səs 

plural keratoses ˌker-ə-ˈtō-ˌsēz 

: an area of skin marked by overgrowth of horny tissue

keratotic

ˌker-ə-ˈtä-tik 

adjective

Examples of keratosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Reader Question How to make seb derm and KP go away forever? — asks Anonymous Allure Reader Dear Reader, Unfortunately, both seborrheic dermatitis (a skin condition that causes itchy, scaly patches on the scalp) and keratosis pilaris (rough, scaly bumps on limbs) are chronic. —Sarah Kinonen, Allure, 27 Nov. 2024

Bonus: These mists can tackle blemishes and uneven texture beyond back acne, including ingrown hairs on your legs and pits, keratosis pilaris on your arms, and even bumps on your bum. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 6 Nov. 2024

The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar is an ingredient in products used to treat seborrheic keratosis—noncancerous brown or black spots. —Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2024

Actinic keratosis: These reddish patches are extremely common and caused by UV exposure. —Sarah Bradley, Health, 15 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Keratose, from Greek kerat-, kéras "horn" + German -ose -osis — more at kerato-

Note: The term was promulgated, if not introduced, by the German physician Hermann Lebert (1813-78) in Ueber Keratose, oder die durch Bildung von Hornsubstanz erzeugten Krankheiten und ihre Behandlung, Breslau, 1864.

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

keratosis

noun

ker·​a·​to·​sis ˌker-ə-ˈtō-səs 

plural keratoses -ˌsēz 

1

: a disease of the skin marked by overgrowth of horny tissue

2

: an area of the skin affected with keratosis

keratotic

-ˈtät-ik 

adjective