Keratológia

Keratológia is a branch of dermatology that focuses on the study and treatment of disorders related to the skin's outermost layer, the epidermis, particularly the keratinized structures within it. The term itself is derived from the Greek words "keratin," referring to the structural protein that forms the epidermis and its appendages like hair and nails, and "logos," meaning study.

This field encompasses a wide range of conditions. Common dermatological issues that fall under the purview of keratológia include various forms of ichthyosis, a group of genetic disorders characterized by dry, scaling skin. It also addresses hyperkeratosis, a thickening of the stratum corneum, which can manifest in conditions like psoriasis and calluses. Furthermore, keratológia is involved in the management of conditions affecting hair follicles and nails, such as alopecia (hair loss) and nail dystrophies.

Diagnosis in keratológia often involves visual inspection, patient history, and sometimes diagnostic procedures like skin biopsies to examine the cellular structure of the epidermis and keratinization process. Treatment strategies vary depending on the specific disorder but may include topical medications, emollients, keratolytics (agents that break down keratin), and systemic therapies. The ultimate goal of keratológia is to improve the health and appearance of the skin by addressing abnormalities in keratinization and epidermal structure.