Editing Hyperkeratinization (section)

{{Short description|Disorder of the cells lining the inside of a hair follicle}}
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'''Hyperkeratinization''' ([[American English]] or hyperkeratinisation in [[British English|British]]) is a [[disease|disorder]] of the cells lining the inside of a [[hair follicle]]. It is the normal function of these cells to detach or slough off ([[wiktionary:desquamate|desquamate]]) from the skin lining at normal intervals. The dead cells are then forced out of the follicle (primarily by the growing hair). However, in hyperkeratinization, this process is interrupted and a number of these dead skin cells do not leave the follicle because of an excess of [[keratin]], a natural protein found in the skin.  This excess of keratin, which is influenced by genetics, results in an increased adherence/bonding of dead skin cells together.  This cohesion of cells will block or "cap" the hair follicle (leading to [[keratosis pilaris]]) or clog the [[sebaceous]]/oil duct (leading to [[Acne vulgaris|acne]]).  Pathogens may also play a role in causing, perpetuating, or simply taking advantage of this phenomenon, such as virulent sub-strains of ''[[Cutibacterium acnes]]'' and irregular migration of ''[[Staphylococcus epidermidis]]'' from the outer surface of the skin into the follicle, where [[commensal]] strains of ''C. acnes'' exclusively habitate. It itches mildly at times, and strongly at others. Very often it cannot be felt at all.<ref>{{Cite journal | pmid = 20808860| pmc = 2924382| year = 2010| last1 = Lomholt| first1 = H. B.| title = Population genetic analysis of Propionibacterium acnes identifies a subpopulation and epidemic clones associated with acne| journal = PLOS ONE| volume = 5| issue = 8| pages = e12277| last2 = Kilian| first2 = M| doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0012277| bibcode = 2010PLoSO...512277L| doi-access = free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | pmid = 18716234| pmc = 2566126| year = 2008| last1 = Bek-Thomsen| first1 = M| title = Acne is not associated with yet-uncultured bacteria| journal = Journal of Clinical Microbiology| volume = 46| issue = 10| pages = 3355–60| last2 = Lomholt| first2 = H. B.| last3 = Kilian| first3 = M| doi = 10.1128/JCM.00799-08}}</ref>