
A Rhino’s Horn on Her Head! | Dr
A Rhino’s Horn on Her Head! | Dr
Please scroll down to watch the video.👇👇
It sounds like you’re referring to “A Rhino’s Horn on Her Head!” — a notable episode from the show Dr. Pimple Popper, where Dr. Sandra Lee treats a patient with a cutaneous horn.
🧬 What Is a Cutaneous Horn?
A cutaneous horn is a conical projection of keratin (the same protein found in nails and hair) that looks like a horn growing out of the skin. It may be:
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Benign (like a wart)
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Premalignant (like actinic keratosis)
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Or even malignant (like squamous cell carcinoma)
➤ Appearance:
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Rigid, horn-like structure
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Usually painless unless infected
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Can appear on sun-exposed areas: face, scalp, hands
📚 Reference:
Yu RC, Pryce DW, Macfarlane AW, Stewart TW. “A histopathological study of 643 cutaneous horns.” Br J Dermatol. 1991.
🧑⚕️ How It’s Treated by Dr. Pimple Popper:
1. Examination & Diagnosis
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Dr. Lee conducts a full physical and medical history.
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Biopsy may be done to rule out cancer.
2. Removal Procedure
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Local anesthesia applied
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Horn removed using a scalpel or surgical scissors
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The base is cauterized or excised
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In some cases, sutures or wound closure strips applied
📚 Clinical Standard:
Dermatologic Surgery Guidelines – American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS)
3. Lab Testing
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The removed tissue is sent to a pathology lab to:
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Confirm it’s benign
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Check for precancerous or cancerous cells
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🧠 Why It’s Called a “Rhino Horn” in the Episode
The name is dramatic, but accurate — the horn in this case is:
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Thick, long, and curled, resembling a rhinoceros horn
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Years in the making, often due to neglect or fear of treatment
📺 Where to Watch
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Dr. Pimple Popper – Season 3, Episode 4 (“A Rhino’s Horn”)
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Available on TLC, Discovery+, and YouTube clips
Certainly! Let’s dive deeper into “A Rhino’s Horn on Her Head!” — a dramatic yet medically significant case featured on Dr. Pimple Popper, which centers around the removal of a cutaneous horn.
🧬 WHAT IS A CUTANEOUS HORN?
🔍 Definition:
A cutaneous horn is a hard keratinous skin growth, resembling a horn, that protrudes from the skin. While it may look alarming, it is a reaction pattern, not a diagnosis.
🧾 It can arise from:
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Benign lesions (seborrheic keratosis, viral warts)
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Premalignant lesions (actinic keratosis)
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Malignant lesions (squamous cell carcinoma)
📚 Medical Reference:
Yu RC, Pryce DW, Macfarlane AW, Stewart TW. “A histopathological study of 643 cutaneous horns.” British Journal of Dermatology.
🧑⚕️ CASE CONTEXT: DR. PIMPLE POPPER
In Dr. Pimple Popper (TLC, Season 3), a woman presents with a large, conical horn-like growth on her forehead, which:
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Is composed of hardened keratin
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Has been growing for years
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Causes social embarrassment and concern for malignancy
Dr. Sandra Lee evaluates it thoroughly with:
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Visual inspection
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Tactile examination (to assess rigidity, base width, and mobility)
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Patient history (onset, trauma, sun exposure, etc.)
🛠️ TREATMENT PROCESS
1. Biopsy or Clinical Diagnosis
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Biopsy at the base of the horn is crucial to determine if it’s malignant.
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About 20–25% of cutaneous horns are associated with skin cancer, especially squamous cell carcinoma.
📚 Source:
Bondeson J. “Cutaneous horns: a historical review.” Am J Dermatopathol. 2001;23(4):362–9.
2. Surgical Removal
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Local anesthesia is applied.
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The horn is excised at its base using a scalpel or surgical scissors.
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Underlying skin may be removed if suspicious.
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Electrocautery or sutures are used to close the wound.
📚 Standard of Care:
Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 6th ed. 2015.
3. Post-Op Wound Care
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Wound is dressed with antibiotic ointment.
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Follow-up is done to check for infection or recurrence.
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If malignancy is detected, further excision or oncology referral may be necessary.
⚠️ WHY EARLY TREATMENT IS IMPORTANT
Though they may look like just “weird skin horns,” cutaneous horns may conceal serious underlying issues, including:
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Sun-induced damage
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Invasive skin cancers
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Chronic irritation or trauma zones
📚 Reference for Risk Management:
Sanchez Yus E, et al. “Cutaneous horns: A clinicopathological study.” Am J Dermatopathol. 1991.
🔗 WATCH & LEARN
Episode Title: “A Rhino’s Horn”
Show: Dr. Pimple Popper (TLC)
Platform: TLC, Discovery+, YouTube (highlights)You can search:
🔍 “Dr. Pimple Popper Rhino Horn episode TLC” on YouTube or Discovery+ for clips and full episodes. -
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