“Skin horns” arise from the excessive production and accumulation of keratin in the skin. It is theorized that they may be caused by radiation or even by the human papillomavirus.
If you thought that human-like creatures with horns on their heads could only be found in mythology or legends, then you’re wrong. There is a strange tumor that affects people in which unusual “skin horns,” resembling wood or coral, appear on the skin and look exactly as the name suggests: like real horns.
These growths are usually small and localized, but in extreme cases they can grow to even larger sizes. They commonly appear on the ears and head, but they can also grow on the lips, feet, and hands. This condition is classified as a tumorous lesion that is generally associated with benign lesions, but can also be associated with premalignant or malignant lesions, such as carcinoma. These can take many forms, but they generally appear conical in shape.
According to La Vida Cotidiana, “at the tip of the skin horn, there is excessive production and accumulation of keratin—a protein whose function is to protect the skin and is found on its outer layer.” It’s important to note that the skin is our largest organ, so these tumors could also affect other areas, since keratin is present throughout our entire body.
It should be noted that horns develop due to this excessive production and accumulation of keratin, as mentioned earlier. This causes them to protrude from the skin, usually in small sizes. However, throughout history, there are records of horns that exceed normal parameters in length.
An iconic case is that of Madame Dimanche, a widow who lived in Paris in the 19th century and was diagnosed with hyperkeratosis. In her case, a horn grew on her head over the course of six years.
Dimanche was told that her condition was not life-threatening but that she needed surgery to remove the horn. At first, she refused, but she later realized that the growth of this tumor was affecting her daily life, so she finally agreed. By the time the horn was removed from her head, it measured over 20 cm in length.
One theory regarding their appearance on the body is radiation, since these tumors most often appear in areas that are more exposed to the sun. Another theory is that it could be related to the human papillomavirus, since this virus sometimes causes tree-bark-like growths on the feet and hands. What is known is that in most cases, they are not life-threatening but benign. Furthermore, they can be easily removed. That said, they can be very uncomfortable for people with these tumors.