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 How to treat keratosis pilaris: Use a cleansing brush to gently speed up the exfoliation process, and a moisturizer with exfoliating lactic or salicylic acid (since dry skin tends to make the condition worse). —

Daley Quinn, Women's Health, 8 Sep. 2023 Exfoliating and moisturizing is the most effective treatment for keratosis pilaris. —

Lacey Muinos, Health, 18 July 2023 Tackle keratosis pilaris using First Aid Beauty's Bump Eraser Body Scrub, or opt for the tropical smoothie vibe of Tree Hut's Shea Sugar Scrub in Tropical Mango. —

Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 13 July 2023 The former can become scaly, dry, blister or flake, and lead to precancerous actinic keratosis while the latter can fade in color, dehydrate or become damaged and brittle. —

Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2023 Not to mention, uncomfortable for people with skin conditions that can’t be exposed to the sun — take, for example, my keratosis pilaris — or those who don't enjoy wearing revealing clothes. —

Frances Solá-Santiago, refinery29.com, 12 June 2023 For keratosis pilaris: Treat this chronic condition with a body wash formula that contains salicylic or alpha and beta hydroxy acids. —

Dori Price, Good Housekeeping, 20 June 2022 Retinoids Topical retinoids are also helpful for keratosis pilaris. —

Susan Brickell, Health, 25 Mar. 2023 What is keratosis pilaris? —

Talia Abbas, Glamour, 19 July 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'keratosis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of keratosis was in 1888

See more words from the same year