Lybrate Logo
Get the App
For Doctors
Login/Sign-up
Book Appointment
Treatment
Ask a Question
Plan my Surgery
Health Feed
tab_logos
About
tab_logos
Health Feed
tab_logos
Find Doctors

Palmoplantar Pustulosis: Causes, Symptoms, Complications, And Treatment

Last Updated: Jan 20, 2025

What is Palmoplantar Pustulosis?

Palmoplantar Pustulosis is an inflammatory disorder of the skin which is rare to occur. It is recurrent. It mainly affects palms and soles and is characterized by the appearance of sterile blisters. These blisters may range from being larger to small and filled with a yellow-colored liquid known as pustules.

The condition is quite painful and discomforting. Women are mainly affected due to this and majorly in the age group 40 to 69 years. Smoking is an aggravating factor for the condition. It may be related to genetic inheritance in some cases when the affected individual has a family history of the disease.

Palmoplantar Pustulosis occurs along with psoriatic Vulgaris in some individuals while in some cases, it is related to plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. A unique feature that is present in this disease includes psoriatic nails.

It initiates as very small-sized blisters filled with pus which after some time becomes brown in color and scaly too. It forms cracks on the skin which are very painful and cause difficulty in walking or other physical activities.

Summary: Palmoplantar Pustulosis belongs to a rare autoimmune skin disease. It is characterized by the appearance of sterile blisters mainly on the palms and soles. Being more common in females, this condition is quite painful and discomforting.

What are the Palmoplantar Pustulosis symptoms?

Palmoplantar Pustulosis is a recurrent condition of painful sterile blisters which affect the soles of feet and palms of the hands priorly. Some of the symptoms related to the condition include the following:

  • Formation of sterile blisters: These blisters are filled with a yellow-colored liquid i.e pustules and are present majorly on the palms and soles. They show recurrence in most of the cases.
  • Formation of the erythematous area: An erythematous area is formed by the coalescence of the blisters which is accompanied by the plaque and scales formation. Fissures are also formed in this condition which is quite painful.
  • Itching and burning sensation: The affected area has symptoms like itching. A strong burning sensation is also felt in the blisters region.
  • Pain: These blisters are associated with pain and hence it is a painful and discomforting condition.
  • Difficulty in doing regular physical activities: The affected individual faces difficulty in doing regular physical activities such as walking and other activities involving the use of hands and feet.
Summary: The symptoms of Palmoplantar Pustulosis include recurrent sterile blisters on a particular skin region. Besides this, itching, burning sensation, pain, and difficulties while doing normal activities are also observed.

What are the Palmoplantar Pustulosis causes?

The details regarding the exact cause of Palmoplantar Pustulosis are still under research. Some the causative factors, however, include the following:

  • Smoking
  • Medications
  • Infections
  • Contact allergies
  • Family history
Summary: Palmoplantar Pustulosis is an inflammatory skin disorder that is recurrent in nature. The probable cause may include smoking like habits, certain medications, infections, contact allergies, and any family history if present.

How are Palmoplantar Pustulosis diagnosed?

The diagnosis of Palmoplantar Pustulosis should be done under the supervision of a skin specialist. The steps involved in it is including the following:

  • Physical examination of the patient: The patient is examined physically by analyzing the formations on the affected skin region. The pustules are tested with a cotton swab to check if it is sterile or not.
  • Skin biopsy: A piece of skin is cut from the affected skin region and is sent to the laboratory for histopathological tests.
Summary: Diagnosis of Palmoplantar Pustulosis is an important step in which a patient is examined physically for the presence of sterile blisters. Swab tests are done to confirm Palmoplantar Pustulosis, followed by skin biopsy for histopathological analysis.
pms_banner

How to prevent Palmoplantar Pustulosis?

Palmoplantar Pustulosis is a skin disease characterized by inflammatory reactions. The important ways to prevent this condition include the elimination of the causative factors. This can be done in the following ways:

  • Quitting habits like smoking: Smoking is one of the most common factors responsible for triggering Palmoplantar Pustulosis. Quitting the habit may prevent risks of the condition.
  • Avoiding contact with irritants: One should avoid any contact with substances that may cause irritations or allergies. Those irritants may include a wet environment, used gloves, and harsh soaps or detergents.
  • Stress reduction: Stress also contributes to inflammatory skin disorders like Palmoplantar Pustulosis. Hence one should minimize stress in his/her life.
Summary: Palmoplantar Pustulosis is recurrent in nature, hence preventive measures are important to be followed. Quitting smoking habits, avoiding contact with irritants, and minimizing stress in life are some of them.

What to do when Palmoplantar Pustulosis?

Palmoplantar Pustulosis is an inflammatory condition of the skin which is quite painful and discomforting. The first important thing to do when an individual encounters any symptom of the skin disease is to consult a well-specialized and experienced dermatologist. A proper diagnosis should be done under his/her supervision so that the right treatment plan can be decided. The other things that can be done include:

  • Quitting the habits like smoking.
  • Avoiding any contact with the causing irritants.
  • Reducing stress in life.
Summary: On encountering any symptoms related to Palmoplantar Pustulosis in an individual, the first thing he/she should do is to consult a specialist for proper diagnosis and the right treatment plan. Urgent medical care and treatment are needed in this case.

Can Palmoplantar Pustulosis go away on its own?

Palmoplantar Pustulosis is an inflammatory disease of the skin which is characterized by the presence of painful sterile blisters in the affected skin region. The condition needs to be treated as early as possible under the provision of an experienced skin specialist.

It cannot resolve itself with time and is very discomforting. Hence, proper diagnosis followed by an adequate treatment plan is the only way out to get rid of this.

What are the Palmoplantar Pustulosis treatment?

Palmoplantar Pustulosis needs urgent medical care and attention since the disease is quite painful and discomforting. It should be done with a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan. The important treatment ways include the following:

  • Application of steroids: Steroids, available in the topical form, are used to treat blisters. These are applied directly to the blisters.
  • Use of emollients: Moisturizers are effective to be used in affected skin regions.
  • Retinoid medicines: Certain medications of vitamin A derivatives are important such as Acitretin.
  • Phototherapy: Ultraviolet light is used to treat the condition by phototherapy.
  • Phototherapy and retinoid combination: The inflammatory skin condition can be effectively treated with this combination.
  • Application of immunosuppressants: Immunosuppressants like methotrexate and cyclosporine are used in severe cases of Palmoplantar Pustulosis.
Summary: Palmoplantar Pustulosis is incurable but the treatment is quite possible. The treatment improves the quality of life of the affected individual and enables him/her to lead a normal healthy life.

What to eat in Palmoplantar Pustulosis?

Palmoplantar Pustulosis is related to the inflammatory response of the skin caused due to infections or irritants. palmoplantar pustulosis diet intake is important in such cases hence one should take care of his nutritional requirements while suffering from this disease. Food items to be preferred include:

  • Whole foods: These include fresh fruits and vegetables especially in raw form, legumes, yogurt, eggs, nuts, and seeds. These are categorized as whole foods and are believed to be enriched with essential elements like antioxidants and phytochemicals. The essential elements have disease-fighting properties against inflammatory reactions on the skin.
  • Sources of unsaturated fatty acids : These are considered healthy fats and mainly include olive oil, sunflower oil, soy, etc. Saturated fatty acids must be replaced by healthy unsaturated fats.
Summary: Diet may be directly or indirectly linked to the inflammatory skin disorder Palmoplantar Pustulosis. Hence, it is important to take care of our nutritional requirements while suffering this condition as it may affect its prognosis.

What not to eat in Palmoplantar Pustulosis?

Certain food items may have a direct or indirect link to skin inflammatory conditions like Palmoplantar Pustulosis. Hence, it is important for us to know about the food items which can aggravate the condition. Some of those include:

  • Dairy products: Dairy products such as whole milk, cheese, butter, and other products are considered to be unhealthy for skin conditions involving inflammatory reactions. These dairy products are rich in saturated fats which are quite healthy and aggravating in such conditions.
  • Red or processed meats: These food items should not be preferred to be consumed in conditions like Palmoplantar Pustulosis as they may trigger the flare-up.
  • High sugar: food items that are rich in high sugar content such as candies, crackers, chocolate, cookies, etc. are known to accelerate the inflammation of the skin. Hence, they must be avoided.
Summary: Certain unhealthy food items are known to trigger the inflammatory reactions of the skin. Those need to be avoided in conditions like Palmoplantar Pustulosis as consuming them may worsen the symptoms of this chronic skin condition.

What are side-effects of Palmoplantar Pustulosis treatments?

The treatment methods for Palmoplantar Pustulosis include the application of steroids, retinoids, phototherapy, and immunosuppressants. These are associated with some kind of side effects such as:

  • The feeling of nausea and vomiting
  • Feeling sick
  • Mild to severe form of headaches
  • Ear infections
  • Increased risks of infections
  • Loss of appetite
  • Trembling in hands
Summary: The treatment methods involved in Palmoplantar Pustulosis include steroids, retinoids, phototherapy, and immunosuppressants. These show certain side effects such as nausea, headaches, bad mouth taste, etc. which are completely normal to occur.

Should I go to urgent care for Palmoplantar Pustulosis?

Palmoplantar Pustulosis is a quite painful skin condition accompanied by the appearance of blisters in the affected region. It requires urgent medical care and attention since it cannot resolve on its own. The disease is incurable and can only be controlled and managed by certain treatment methods including medications and therapies.

Summary: Palmoplantar Pustulosis needs urgent medical care and attention. The symptoms cannot be controlled or managed by self-care techniques, hence it is necessary to undergo proper treatment.

How long does it take to recover from Palmoplantar Pustulosis?

There has been no cure for Palmoplantar Pustulosis known so far. Hence, complete recovery from this skin disease is not possible. However, certain treatment methods are there which help to control and manage the symptoms. The proper treatment enables the affected individual to lead a normal healthy life by providing relief from the painful symptoms.

Summary: Palmoplantar Pustulosis is a lifelong skin disorder. It cannot be cured completely and hence persist throughout life. The symptoms can be controlled or managed by certain treatment methods.

What is the price of Palmoplantar Pustulosis treatments in India?

The treatment of Palmoplantar Pustulosis consists of the application of steroids, retinoids, phototherapy, and immunosuppressants. It is a lifelong treatment and hence the overall expenditure sums up to a large amount. It becomes quite expensive to undergo a complete treatment for this skin disorder.

Summary: Palmoplantar Pustulosis involves the application of steroids, retinoids, immunosuppressants, etc. for the treatment, hence it is quite expensive for an affected individual to undergo a complete treatment for the same.

Physical Exercises for the people suffering from Palmoplantar Pustulosis:

Regular physical activities and exercises are essential for enhancing blood circulation in the body. Increased blood circulation is helpful to overcome the symptoms of skin conditions like Palmoplantar Pustulosis. Important exercises to be preferred include:

  • Yoga and meditation: These are important for the increased blood circulation in the whole body and mind. Hence are preferred in such conditions.
  • Aerobics: Aerobics are good for individuals suffering from Palmoplantar Pustulosis. These include some stretching, cycling, skipping, etc.
  • Cardiovascular exercises: Mild to moderate forms should be preferred. These Are important to de-stress the mind and body.
  • Brisk walking: These are effective when done on a regular basis for at least 35 to 40 minutes a day.
Summary: Exercises are important in the case of Palmoplantar Pustulosis. They minimize stress in life and improve blood circulation all over the body, hence promoting a faster healing process during rare skin conditions.

Which is the best medicine for Palmoplantar Pustulosis?

Certain medications are important for effectively treating the skin disorder Palmoplantar Pustulosis. Some of the best medicine for its treatment include:

  • Steroids in the topical form
  • Retinoids or vitamin A derivatives such as Acitretin
  • Emollients
Summary: The application of certain medicines is one of the possible treatment methods of Palmoplantar Pustulosis. These mainly include topical steroids, retinoids, and emollients.

Are the results of the Palmoplantar Pustulosis treatment permanent?

Palmoplantar Pustulosis is an incurable inflammatory skin disease. Hence, the results of treatment of this skin condition are not permanent. It is a chronic disorder. The symptoms can only be controlled and managed by various treatment methods but none of them can cure this.

Summary: The rare inflammatory disease of the skin i.e Palmoplantar Pustulosis cannot be cured completely since it is incurable. Hence, the results of the treatment are never permanent in this case. Treatment only ensures a better quality of life for the affected individuals.

What are the alternatives to the Palmoplantar Pustulosis treatment?

Alternatives to the treatment include the following:

  • Quitting smoking-like habits: Smoking is one of the most common factors responsible for triggering Palmoplantar Pustulosis. Quitting the habit may prevent risks of the condition.
  • Avoiding contact with irritants: One should avoid any contact with substances that may cause irritations or allergies. Those irritants may include a wet environment, used gloves, and harsh soaps or detergents.
  • Stress reduction: Stress also contributes to inflammatory skin disorders like Palmoplantar Pustulosis. Hence one should minimize stress in his/her life.
Summary: The main treatment methods for Palmoplantar Pustulosis include the application of steroids, retinoids, phototherapy, and immunosuppressants. But there may be some alternatives such as quitting smoking habits, avoiding any contact with irritants, and reducing stress in life.

Who is eligible for the Palmoplantar Pustulosis treatment?

Any individual suffering from Palmoplantar Pustulosis is eligible for the treatment. This skin disease cannot resolve itself and requires urgent medical care and treatment in all cases. Hence, individuals of any age group or gender who develop this inflammatory skin condition should undergo proper treatment.

Summary: Individuals of any gender or age group who develop this condition are eligible for treatment. Skin conditions like Palmoplantar Pustulosis require proper medical care and attention.

Who is not eligible for the Palmoplantar Pustulosis treatment?

Any person who has developed an inflammatory skin condition i.e Palmoplantar Pustulosis is eligible for treatment. The symptoms of this skin disease cannot be controlled or managed by itself or by self-care techniques. It requires urgent medical care and attention in all cases.

Summary: Symptoms of Palmoplantar Pustulosis can only be controlled or managed by undergoing proper treatment under the supervision of a specialist. Hence, any person who has developed this condition is eligible for the treatment.

What are the Palmoplantar Pustulosis post-treatment guidelines?

Some of the post-treatment guidelines need to be followed by individuals suffering from Palmoplantar Pustulosis. These guidelines include:

  • Medical consultation for periodic follow-ups.
  • Regular medical checks up to check for the recurrence of infections.
  • Leading an active and healthy lifestyle.
  • Implementation of stress management in life.
  • Avoiding smoking habits.
Summary: Recurrence is common in the case of Palmoplantar Pustulosis. Hence, it is important to continue taking preventive measures even after the symptoms subside. Those measures include proper medical care and attention with regular checkups.

Popular Questions & Answers

View All

Hello doctors is sympathectomy for palmoplantar...

related_content_doctor

Dr. B Nanda

General Physician

Dear lybrate-user there are other treatment options and since sympathectomy is a permanent option...

I need solution for palmoplantar keratoderma. I...

related_content_doctor

Dr. Vibhor Goyal

Dermatologist

Dear lybrate-user. Whatever medicine you use, do not forget to moisturise your palms and soles to...

I have excess sweating on my palms and under th...

related_content_doctor

Dr. Jatin Soni

General Physician

It seems to be hyperhydroses and if it is causing you problems in your daily life I will suggest ...

I've been suffering from palmoplantar psoriasis...

related_content_doctor

Shruthi R

Dermatologist

Psoriasis cannot be cured, but it can be managed very well with medications. Occasional use of pr...

Hello there, I am a 32 year old female having d...

related_content_doctor

Dr. Karuna Chawla

Homeopathy Doctor

Follow this moisturize frequently. Coconut oil and glycerine are good options. Avoid sudden chang...

Table of content

Content Details
Profile Image
Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
Reviewed By
Profile Image
Reviewed ByDr. Bhupindera Jaswant SinghMD - Consultant PhysicianGeneral Physician
Need more help 

15+ Years of Surgical Experience

All Insurances Accepted

EMI Facility Available at 0% Rate

Find Dermatologist near me

pms_banner
chat_icon

Ask a free question

Get FREE multiple opinions from Doctors

posted anonymously