Hyperplasia

Pustular Psoriasis

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Pustular Psoriasis, Palmoplantar Pustulosis, Palmoplantar Pustular Psoriasis, Pustulosis of Palms and Soles

  • See Also
  1. Palm and Sole Pustules
  2. Psoriasis
  • Pathophysiology
  1. Chronic inflammatory skin disease
  • Epidemiology
  1. Occurs most often in middle aged adults
  • Risk Factors
  1. Tobacco Abuse
  2. Thyroid disease
  3. Emotional stress
  4. TNF Inhibitor
  5. Streptococcus infection
  • Symptoms
  1. Burning pain and Pruritus on the palms and soles
  2. Painful ambulation due to sole lesions
  • Signs
  1. Sterile Vesicles and Pustules (2-5 mm) on the palms and soles
  2. Lesions evolve into yellowish-brown to red Macules
  3. Associated findings
    1. Hyperkeratosis
    2. Scaling
    3. Skin fissures
  4. Provocative factors
    1. Metal Allergic Contact Dermatitis
  • Labs
  1. Potassium Hydroxide stain (KOH Preparation)
    1. Exclude Tinea Pedis or Tinea Manum
  2. Skin biopsy
    1. Confirms diagnosis (not required)
  • Differential Diagnosis
  1. Tinea Manum
  2. Tinea Pedis
  3. Psoriasis
  4. Dyshidrotic Eczema
  • Associated Conditions
  1. Psoriasis
    1. Unclear if Palmoplantar Pustulosis is Psoriasis variant or a distinct condition
  • Management
  1. Similar to Psoriasis management starting with high potency Topical Corticosteroids
    1. Typically managed by dermatology
  2. General measures
    1. Skin Lubricants
    2. Avoid topical irritants and allergans
    3. Tobacco Cessation
  3. First-line agents
    1. High potency Topical Corticosteroids (may be ineffective)
    2. Oral Retinoids
    3. Calcipotriene (Donovex)
    4. Photochemotherapy (e.g. PUVA)
  4. Second-line agents
    1. Cyclosporine
    2. Methotrexate
  • References
  1. Fitzpatrick (1992) Color Atlas Dermatology, p. 52-3
  2. Pesqueira (2019) Am Fam Physician 100(9): 579-80 [PubMed]