Cutaneous horn is one of the skin concern that can affect both men and women. It is uncommon as compared to other skin lesions. A horn can develop at any age but mostly affects the people between 60 and 70 years at higher risk. Cutaneous horns are hard and brownish-yellow in color, which looks like an animal horn. It is extracted from keratin, a protein found in fingernails and hair.

The growth often resembles a cone or a horn and can vary in size and shape significantly. It can be malignant or premalignant skin lesions in them. If this condition is left untreated, then it leads to damage to their skin. Its possible causes range from skin infection to cancer in patients. The removal methods of this problem include shaving or trimming, electrosurgery etc.

Before the selection of an appropriate removal approach, the nature of skin lesion can be assessed by a dermatologist. The importance of regular follow-ups is to monitor the signs of underlying skin condition at any area.

Causes

The excessive keratin growth leads to cutaneous horn on the skin. It mostly occurs due to sun-damaged areas and can be cancerous, precancerous and harmless. This problem is extremely rare, which particularly affects hands and feet.

A horn can be cancerous or precancerous on the face as compared to other body areas. Its size increases the risk of malignancy in patients.

Symptoms

A cutaneous horn is a most common symptom which appears as a large bump, corn or hole on the skin. It occurs due to keratin growth, which may be white, brown, pink etc.

The curvature of the horn is getting worse while growing. This becomes harmful for each patient and results in skin- damaging.

It appears in any body parts. Some of them are as follows:

Arms
Hands
Ears
Chest
Face
Head

A pain or infection may occur when the horn gets damaged. It mainly develops in those areas, which are affected due to sun exposure.

Cutaneous Horn Removal Treatments

The removal of cutaneous horn involves several approaches. These include the following:

Surgical Excision:

It is a most common treatment which involves the removal of horn with the surrounding tissue. This procedure may be required for patients with larger cancerous cutaneous horns.

Cryotherapy:

It involves liquid nitrogen to blister cutaneous horn in patients. This procedure is effective for smaller horns. The multiple sessions are required for complete removal of horns.

Electrosurgery:

A cutaneous horn can be cut and removed through high-frequency electric current. This treatment is best suitable for patients with larger cutaneous horns. During removal, it controls bleeding in patients.

Shaving or trimming:

It involves the removal of smaller and non-cancerous cutaneous horns. A dermatologist uses a scalpel or scissors for this process. This procedure requires no extensive surgery in patients.

Curettage:

This procedure involves a curette to scrape or scoop out the cutaneous horns in patients. When it combines with electrosurgery, a cutaneous horn can be removed thoroughly, which minimizes its risk of recurrence.

When to see a Doctor

An individual must schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional while suffering from cutaneous horn.

He or she must consult with a relevant doctor for the treatment when experiencing any symptoms. These include the following:

Pain
Hardening or puckering in skin
Increase in horn size
Brown, purple or redness at the base of the horn

Diagnosis

A dermatologist performs a thorough examination for the diagnosis of cutaneous horn. Below are the following steps:

1.Physical Examination

The horn and the surrounding skin will be examined by a medical doctor.

2. Biopsy

A dermatologist examines the base of your horn for cancerous and precancerous cells.

3. Dermatoscopy

This procedure involves examining your skin lesions through a handheld instrument known as dermatoscope. It is also used in treating people suffering with hair, nail and scalp disorders.

Associated Conditions and Complications

A range of health problems are associated with cutaneous horn. These include viral skin infections, nevi, psoriasis etc. The medical treatments are necessary in two of them whereas others are benign.

Cutaneous horn also develops another growth known as keratoacanthoma. It is rare in those people with lighter skin and sun damage. This problem also affects older adults at a higher risk.

Surgical removal is recommended for reducing its risk. If it is not treated, then it looks like squamous cell carcinoma and becomes malignant for patients.

The most serious conditions, which are related to cutaneous horn, are described below:

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

It is a most common cancer which occurs in people with malignant cutaneous horn. This problem develops at higher risk when the horn becomes painful, larger and discolored.

A pink or red color may appear on lighter skin whereas purple, dark brown, gray etc., on darker skin.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

It is a rare cancer associated with cutaneous horn. This problem includes several risk factors such as excessive sun-exposure, ionizing radiation etc. These factors are delivered from X-ray or CAT scan machines.

The risk may be increased through weakened immune system, genetic factors, age and existing scarring.

Melanoma

It is a very rare cancer as compared to basal cell carcinoma. This problem develops from cutaneous horn which consists of several contributing factors such as sun exposure, skin-inflammation etc.