Dyskeratosis and the dyskeratoses

Darier first described dyskeratotic cells as infectious agents, but he later wrote that they were caused by abnormal keratinization. He grouped various inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic skin diseases under the term "dyskeratoses." It is argued herein that the dyskeratotic cell and the so-called dyskeratoses have not been defined in a consistent manner because Darier's concepts were incorrect. Darier's dyskeratotic cell is classified here as one type of necrotic keratinocyte. Some conditions in which dyskeratotic and necrotic keratinocytes occur are described.