Palmoplantar Pustulosis

What are the symptoms of Palmoplantar Pustulosis?

Palmoplantar pustulosis affects the palms and soles. It is also known as localised pustular psoriasis, especially when in occurs in those who have psoriasis elsewhere. Groups of sterile pustules occur in crops on one or both hands and/or feet. They are associated with thickened, scaly, red skin which easily develops painful cracks.

How can I treat it?

Natural Remedies

An important aspect of treatment is to identify and tackle the contributing factors.

• Use a moisturizer frequently. Apply shea butter or another active moisturizer liberally and often to prevent your skin from cracking.
• Soaking in warm water with a bath oil or tar solution also helps to soften the skin.
• Choose comfortable footwear made from natural fibres.
• Avoid harsh soaps. Reduce how often you bathe or shower, and use lukewarm water and a mild soap.

Prescription Medications

If your condition persists, we encourage you to see a dermatologist. The dermatologist may prescribe one or more of the following:

• Corticosteroids
• Immunosuppressants
• Topical Immunomodulators
• Antibiotics
• Antihistamines
• Retinoids
• Psoralens
• Biologic Response Modifiers

How long will it take to go away

If you apply an active moisturizer to your skin two or three times a day, you are likely to begin to see an improvement in less than a week.

The condition varies in severity and may persist for many years. It is not known what causes exacerbations or remissions. Palmoplantar pustulosis is not infectious to other people and does not influence one's general health. However the discomfort can be considerable, interfering with working and leisure activities.

What causes Palmoplantar Pustulosis?

Walking for prolonged periods may cause exacerbations on the feet. If the palms are involved, manual activities may be uncomfortable, and injuries may aggravate the disorder. Certain occupations are therefore inadvisable for affected individuals.

It is much more common in those who smoke (or have smoked in the past), sometimes runs in families and rarely occurs before adulthood.