Plants sprouting from human skin may sound like something straight out of a science fiction movie, but it’s a real, albeit very rare, medical condition. Referred to as cutaneous horn, it occurs when keratin, the protein that makes up hair and nails, builds up on the skin, forming structures that resemble animal horns or plant branches While visually disturbing, cutaneous horns are typically benign growths that can be removed by a doctor However, in some cases, they may indicate an underlying skin condition or cancer. This article takes an in-depth look at how and why plants can seemingly grow out of skin.
What Causes Plants to Grow Out of Skin?
Cutaneous horns most often develop as a result of a rare hereditary condition called epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV). People with EV are prone to human papillomavirus (HPV) infections resulting in widespread wart-like growths on the skin, especially the hands and feet. These growths resemble gnarled tree bark or twisted branches. In extreme cases they may weigh several pounds and substantially alter the shape of the affected body part.
The growths are composed of thickened keratin accumulated in a horn-like shape. While not actually plant matter, their bark-like texture and branching structures can make them look surprisingly plant-like emerging from the skin. Their tree-like appearance results in the growths often being referred to as cutaneous horns.
What Does Cutaneous Horn Look Like?
Cutaneous horns can vary greatly in size, shape, and location on the body. Small ones may be barely noticeable, protruding just a centimeter or two from the skin. On the other hand, larger ones can extend many inches out. Their shapes can range from single spiky protrusions to elaborate multi-branched structures.
Areas most prone to growths are the hands and feet, but other common sites include the face, torso, arms, and legs. Cases have involved horns emerging from the forehead, temples, eyelids, lips, shoulders, abdomen, knees, and even the groin. Their color is usually similar to the surrounding skin but may appear more brown or greyish, like bark.
Can a Plant Actually Grow Out of Human Skin?
While cutaneous horns may resemble plant matter, they do not contain any actual plant cells or chloroplasts capable of photosynthesis. So no, it is not possible for a real plant to grow out of living human skin. The keratin structures are a production of the person’s own body, not a foreign organism taking root in the flesh.
That said, the resemblance to bark and twisted branches can be uncanny in extreme cases. Photos of particularly large cutaneous horns make it obvious why people once believed plant matter could sprout from the body. But even the most gnarled horn is simply composed of compacted epidermal cells.
What Causes This Condition?
The leading cause of cutaneous horns is epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV), a rare heritable skin disorder that disrupts the immune system and makes people highly susceptible to HPV. The virus triggers fast growth of lesions that resemble warty tumors or tree bark. EV is extremely rare, with only about 100 cases documented globally.
In some instances, cutaneous horns are associated with benign seborrheic keratosis lesions. Exposure to arsenic and carcinogenic tar has also been linked to horn development. People with certain autoimmune disorders are at increased risk as well.
In about half of cases, no underlying cause can be identified. The growths just appear sporadically in otherwise healthy individuals, possibly triggered by sun exposure or minor skin trauma.
Is Cutaneous Horn Dangerous?
While visually startling, cutaneous horns are usually harmless. However, underlying medical conditions like EV often cause additional symptoms and health complications. In rare cases, if left untreated, large growths can ulcerate, becoming painful and prone to infection.
Of greatest concern is the possibility of an underlying squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer). Research shows roughly 15% to 20% of cutaneous horns overlie a malignant tumor. The risk increases with patient age and horn size. Laboratory analysis can determine if any cancerous cells are present. If so, surgical excision is required.
How Are Cutaneous Horns Treated?
Small asymptomatic growths may only need periodic monitoring. But most horns are removed for cosmetic reasons or to biopsy for cancer. Treatments include:
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Surgical excision – The horn is cut away at the base along with a margin of surrounding skin to ensure full removal.
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Curettage and electrodesiccation – The growth is scraped away using a curette then the skin is seared with electric current to stop bleeding and kill any remaining abnormal cells.
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Cryotherapy – Liquid nitrogen is applied to freeze and kill horn cells.
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Topical medications – Prescription creams containing salicylic acid or retinoids help slough off dead skin.
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Laser ablation – A focused laser beam vaporizes the lesion.
Ongoing medical care is needed to monitor for additional growths and early signs of cancer. EV patients require proactive protection from HPV infection.
Who Gets Cutaneous Horns?
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Estimated incidence is 1 in every 600,000 people.
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Most common in older adults, rarely affects children.
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Slightly more common in men than women.
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Lifelong condition in patients with epidermodysplasia verruciformis.
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More prevalent in regions with high sun exposure.
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Cases clustered in Asia, South America, and Africa.
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Rarely affects people of European descent.
Remarkable Real-Life Cases
Madame Dimanche – In the early 19th century, a Parisian woman developed a curved 9-inch cutaneous horn from her forehead. It was successfully removed by surgeon Everard Home in London.
Mr. Zhang Ruifang – In 2010, a 101-year-old Chinese man grew an enormous 2-foot-long horn from his cheek that curled in a spiral shape like a unicorn horn. He refused treatment due to his advanced age.
Dede Koswara – An Indonesian man developed massive bark-like warts due to EV. Over 2 lbs of growths were surgically removed from his hands and feet in 2008. His case brought international attention to the condition.
Wang Bingkang – A Chinese man underwent surgery in 2007 to remove a cutaneous horn measuring over 8 inches long sprouting from his head. He suffered from headaches due to the horn’s heavy weight.
Antonio Vicente – A Brazilian man grew a 4-inch horn from his abdomen in 2010. Doctors found skin cancer underneath and successfully excised it. He made a full recovery.
Key Takeaways
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Cutaneous horns are rare, benign skin growths composed of excess keratin.
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In extreme cases, they can resemble gnarled horns or plant branches growing out of skin.
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An inherited condition called epidermodysplasia verruciformis is the primary cause.
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Although usually harmless, some underlying skin conditions like cancer are possible.
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Most horns can be removed through methods like surgery, cryotherapy, or laser ablation.
So while not actually vegetation, with their bark-textured appearance and branching structures, cutaneous horns can make it seem as if plant life has taken root in human skin. Yet despite the outlandish appearance, skilled doctors can readily treat these growths and restore normal skin contour. With proper care, even extensive cutaneous horns do not have to dramatically disrupt patients’ lives.
Netizens react as woman finds plant growing out of her hand
People were unable to comprehend the post, which went viral on X as soon as it was shared. There were even hypotheses about it. One person on social media thought he had a cut on his hand and a seed got into it while he was working with plants. Other people thought it was probably a hygiene issue. Some even advised him to let it grow and observe the results.
One wrote, “Nurture it. let it blossom into the plant it was meant to become. Because you are the base of its life, take care of yourself so that you can feed this new life. ”.
A second added, “You need to call greys anatomy they’re about to do the most life changing surgery.”
What do you think, bizarre enough to give you the ick? Or is it oddly fascinating?
To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
Iraa Paul writes for the Entertainment section of the IndiaTimes. She loves both hot coffee and hot OTT content. When you’re having a bad day or the weekend, she always knows the best movies and TV shows for you to watch.
In an odd and surprising turn of events, a man online who goes by the handle @nick_nalt saw a tiny plant growing out of his hand. After the post went viral on X, (previously Twitter), people started digging out the possible reasons for it to happen.
Strange things happen every day, but the one we learned about today might not only shock you, but also make you sick, like X users (previously Twitter). A man online who goes by the name @nick_nalt found a small plant growing out of his hand. It was a strange and unexpected event. Yes, you read that right, a plant. He posted a photo of his hand and the plant growing out of it on his X account.
He wrote under the picture, “I just found a tiny plant growing out of my hand. What the f do I do?” ”.
Fingernails Grow on Woman’s Head
FAQ
What are the seeds growing in my skin?
What does it mean when you dream of plants growing out of your skin?
Can seeds germinate in your body?
Has anyone ever had a plant grow inside of them?
What does it mean if plants grow out of your skin?
Dreaming about plants growing out of your skin denotes you are entering a new stage in life. Fresh plants in dreams are a good sign, as they represent new beginnings and the opportunities they have are endless. In your waking world, this might mean that you are mulling over a concept introduced to you and are just about ready to accept it.
Are there any foods that are generally good for our skin?
Foods high in collagen and antioxidants are beneficial to our skin. In general, we can increase our collagen intake, which comes from protein, and consume foods high in antioxidants, such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Limiting foods high in saturated fat can also help to improve skin health.
What could grow out of human skin?
When we think of things that could grow out of human skin, we rarely consider anything further than hair, fingernails, or toenails. Humans being mammals, we may go so far as to consider body hair as a type of fur, but certainly we would not even begin to think that humans would grow anything as foreign as plant material, feathers, or horns.
Why do plants grow out of my hands?
If plants grow out of your hands in your dreams, your subconscious is trying to communicate that you are being asked to be more compassionate to yourself and to others. This dream may symbolize a need for healing and self-care, as you may have been feeling deprived lately.
Do Plants germinate inside the human body?
First off let me say yuck!, that is a series of Google searches I can never take back. But as to your question, apparently plants often germinate inside the human body, specifically inside the lungs, as the warm moist environment is good for sprouting a seed.
Can plants uproot themselves?
Although they can’t uproot themselves and scurry to safety at the first sign of trouble, many plants do have a litany of deterrents at their disposal.