Overview
Warty dyskeratoma (also sometimes called isolated dyskeratoma follicularis) is a rare, benign skin condition that causes a small, wart-like growth to form on the skin. The name comes from the way the growth looks under a microscope — it contains abnormal skin cells that have not matured properly, a process called dyskeratosis. These growths are almost always solitary, meaning just one bump appears, and they are not cancerous. The condition is classified under 'other specified epidermal thickening' in medical coding systems. The growth most often appears on the head, neck, or scalp, though it can occasionally show up on other parts of the body, including the mouth (oral mucosa). It typically looks like a small, firm, skin-colored or brownish bump with a central pore or pit that may contain a plug of keratin (a protein found in skin). It is usually painless, though some people notice mild tenderness or irritation. Treatment is straightforward. Because warty dyskeratoma is benign and does not spread or become cancerous, many doctors simply monitor it. If the growth is bothersome, cosmetically concerning, or needs to be confirmed by biopsy, it can be surgically removed. After removal, the condition rarely comes back. Overall, this is a condition with an excellent outlook and no serious long-term health consequences.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
A single small wart-like bump on the skinBump most commonly found on the head, neck, or scalpCentral pore or pit in the middle of the growthKeratin plug (a waxy or cheesy material) inside the bumpSkin-colored, yellowish, or brownish appearanceUsually painless but may feel slightly tenderOccasional irritation or mild itchingRarely, a similar growth inside the mouth
Clinical phenotype terms (19)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Warty dyskeratoma.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
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Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Warty dyskeratoma.
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
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Mental Health Support
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Is a biopsy needed to confirm this is warty dyskeratoma and not something else?,Do I need to have this growth removed, or is it safe to leave it alone?,What are the chances it will come back after removal?,Could this be related to any other skin condition I should know about, like Darier disease?,Are there any signs I should watch for that would mean I need to come back sooner?,Does anyone else in my family need to be checked for this condition?
Common questions about Warty dyskeratoma
What is Warty dyskeratoma?
Warty dyskeratoma (also sometimes called isolated dyskeratoma follicularis) is a rare, benign skin condition that causes a small, wart-like growth to form on the skin. The name comes from the way the growth looks under a microscope — it contains abnormal skin cells that have not matured properly, a process called dyskeratosis. These growths are almost always solitary, meaning just one bump appears, and they are not cancerous. The condition is classified under 'other specified epidermal thickening' in medical coding systems. The growth most often appears on the head, neck, or scalp, though it
How is Warty dyskeratoma inherited?
Warty dyskeratoma follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Warty dyskeratoma typically begin?
Typical onset of Warty dyskeratoma is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Which specialists treat Warty dyskeratoma?
15 specialists and care centers treating Warty dyskeratoma are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.