The Sun: Cutaneous Horns
Cutaneous Horns
The Sun examined the medical problem termed ‘cutaneous horns’.
This phenomenon is the underlying cause for photos that circulate on the internet, showing strange growths.
Shock photos have been shared showing sizeable growths resembling tree trunks or branches, unicorn horns or even horns sprouting from the forehead.
The horns tend to feel quite solid and they can cause great concern for the patients as they are so disfiguring – as well as simply getting in the way.
The Sun asked Dr Ross Perry to provide expert medical explanation for what causes the problem. He said:
“Each horn is individual and each one is different on the cause.
“Sometimes they are the classic cutaneous horn which is on the face or the hands and so forth and are primarily related to sun damage.
“Some people can get a viral warty lesion that looks like a definitive cutaneous horn as it were, but is often made from keratin from a wart virus as opposed to a non-wart-virus cutaneous horn.
“We can often find in areas of trauma if you’ve had previous warts that those can come out in that area.
“I suppose if you’ve got a poor-healing wound or an area that’s repeatedly traumatised then in theory you can probably have a mechanism where you could get a horn from that as well.”
While photos on the internet have depicted the most extreme cases, the cutaneous horn is actually a relatively common issue.
Dr Perry continued:
“You go to any skin cancer or dermatology unit and they’re pretty common.
“You would certainly see four or five a month really, it’s not that rare.”
Treating Cutaneous Horns
Dr Ross Perry told The Sun that many people leave cutaneous horns untreated for years:
“Patients tend not to do anything about them for years and years because they’re not worrisome or bothersome.
“That’s why they often grow — people don’t tend do anything about them until they become very unsightly or very annoying.”
It is best to seek early attention and have the growth removed to stop it developing into a bigger problem.
Cutaneous horns are removed in a relatively straightforward surgical procedure. The smaller they are, the easier the removal process will be.
Read this article in full
To read more, please visit https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9952177/cutaneous-horns-skin-condition-growths-devil-unicorn/.
Dr Ross Perry
Ross qualified at Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School in 1994. His career includes NHS skin cancer reconstruction, work as a GP, as well as private cosmetic skin treatments.
He established Cosmedics Skin Clinics in 2003 and remains in charge as Medical Director. He is best known for dealing with unwanted skin lesions and blemishes (e.g. moles, cysts, warts, skin tags) and specialises in same day skin surgery procedures.
He also offers natural-looking use of non-surgical cosmetic injections (BOTOX® Anti-Wrinkle Injections and dermal fillers).
Cosmedics Skin Clinics
Cosmedics Skin Clinics was established in 2003 and has built up an excellent reputation for cosmetic and medical skin treatments, carried out by GMC Registered Doctors. The company offer a full range of cosmetic treatments, including popular lip enhancement and wrinkle relaxing injections, dermal fillers; plus medical treatments including mole removal, thread vein treatment and excessive sweating injections.
Cosmedics Skin Clinics has a team of skin treatment doctors and surgeons in their 5 skin clinics across London and Bristol led by Dr Ross Perry.
Call 020 7386 0464 or email info@cosmedics.co.uk to book an appointment.
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