keratin overgrowth

Keratin overgrowth is a rare condition affecting a small portion of Cachaemites. It is a side effect of Contramort's attempts to reduce the sun damage it can cause. Essentially, large amounts of keratin are deposited, which come together in such a way that they can be considered a horn. Keratin overgrowth is symmetrical in about 20% of cases, meaning that horns develop on both sides of the body in roughly the same place. These horns are usually between 0.5 and 3 inches, although there have been cases where they grow continuously and therefore continue growing until filed down. The largest recorded growth was seven feet, stemming from just below the wrist on a Trifected.

Treatment

A given keratin overgrowth can be removed with a combination of filing and local ointments to prevent further growth, but doing so can damage skin nearby, so it is usually recommended that they are simply filed or, if needed, removed surgically.

Prognosis

Susceptibility to keratin overgrowth is on an individual level. Someone who has had it before will likely develop another horn within a year. Someone who has symmetrical keratin overgrowth is quite capable of having an asymmetrical growth later down the line.

Prevention

It is more common in people who have damaged their skin with burns or scrapes, so Licentia recommends that cachaemites wear sunblock whenever they are outside.

Epidemiology

Keratin overgrowths are more common in Cachaemites who have skin problems, especially psoriasis. Just like psoriasis, there is no way of spreading it, although given that susceptibility to growths seems to run in families there may be a genetic component.

Type

Physiological

Parent

Contramort-Associated Illness

Rarity

Extremely Rare

Affected Species

• Cainnites
• jiangshi
• cachaemites
• trifected