Medication Summary

Tretinoin has been reported to have some effects in some individuals with these lesions. Additionally, in a reported case of acrokeratosis verruciformis of Hopf associated with keratoacanthomas, treatment with acitretin dramatically improved both conditions.^[19]

Class Summary

Decreased cohesiveness of abnormal hyperproliferative keratinocytes may reduce potential for malignant degeneration. Retinoids modulate keratinocyte differentiation and have been shown to reduce risk of skin cancer formation.

Tretinoin topical (Avita, Retin-A, Refissa, Tretin-X)

View full drug information

Topical tretinoin was developed to treat acne vulgaris. It alters maturation and differentiation of keratinocytes and reduces the thickness of the hyperkeratotic stratum corneum. Tretinoin has been used for a variety of conditions, including flat warts, abnormalities of keratinization, and other keratoses. It is available in 0.025%, 0.05%, and 0.1% concentrations in a variety of vehicles, including gels, solutions, and creams.

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Media Gallery

This photos shows flat-topped, hyperkeratotic, skin colored papules on the dorsal hands without palmar involvement. This patient also has dystrophy of the fingernails, which is not easily visible in this photograph. Biopsy demonstrated epidermal acanthosis and papillomatosis with hyperkeratosis. Photo courtesy of Sarah S. Pinney, MD.

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Author

Sarah Sweeney Pinney, MD, FAAD Dermatologist, Clear Dermatology

Sarah Sweeney Pinney, MD, FAAD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Texas Dermatological Society, Texas Medical Association, Women's Dermatologic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Rashid M Rashid, MD, PhD Director, Mosaic Clinic Hair Transplant Center of Houston

Rashid M Rashid, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Council for Nail Disorders, Houston Dermatological Society, International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, Texas Dermatological Society, Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Ronald P Rapini, MD Professor and Chair, Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Distinguished Chernosky Professor and Chair of Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston

Ronald P Rapini, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Dermatological Association, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, American Society of Dermatopathology, Association of Professors of Dermatology, Society for Investigative Dermatology, Texas Dermatological Society

Disclosure: Book royalties from Elsevier publishers.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Steven R Feldman, MD, PhD Professor, Departments of Dermatology, Pathology and Public Health Sciences, and Molecular Medicine and Translational Science, Wake Forest Baptist Health; Director, Center for Dermatology Research, Director of Industry Relations, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Steven R Feldman, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, North Carolina Medical Society, Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Received honoraria from Amgen for consulting; Received honoraria from Abbvie for consulting; Received honoraria from Galderma for speaking and teaching; Received consulting fee from Lilly for consulting; Received ownership interest from www.DrScore.com for management position; Received ownership interest from Causa Reseasrch for management position; Received grant/research funds from Janssen for consulting; Received honoraria from Pfizer for speaking and teaching; Received consulting fee from No.

Chief Editor

William D James, MD Paul R Gross Professor of Dermatology, Vice-Chairman, Residency Program Director, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

William D James, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Elsevier; WebMD<br/>Served as a speaker for various universities, dermatology societies, and dermatology departments.

Additional Contributors

Arash Taheri, MD Research Fellow, Center for Dermatology Research, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

Mohsin Ali, MBBS, FRCP, MRCP, MRCPI Consulting Staff, Department of Dermatology, Amersham General Hospital, UK

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Doina Ivan, MD Assistant Professor of Pathology, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Division of Pathology/Lab Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Doina Ivan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society for Clinical Pathology, American Society of Dermatopathology, College of American Pathologists, International Society of Dermatopathology, and United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.