Palmoplantar Psoriasis

The type of psoriasis that occurs on the sole of the feet and palms of the hands is palmoplantar psoriasis. Psoriasis appears on any part of the body, and it often occurs when you’re exposed to certain triggers.
 
According to research, 3-4 percent of people who have psoriasis have palmoplantar psoriasis.

Palmoplantar psoriasis can happen to anyone of any age, but it usually starts between 20-60 years of age.

A person with palmoplantar psoriasis may not always have the symptoms, but they’ll experience the flares when triggered.

Symptoms

The symptoms of palmoplantar psoriasis include:

• Scaly patches on the hands and feet
  Redness
• Cracking and bleeding
• Burning and itching
• Raised thickened skin
• Small pustules
• Thickening, putting, and ridging of the nails
• Similar symmetrical patterns on both hands
• Difficulty in carrying out daily activities like walking

Palmoplantar psoriasis is quite difficult to hide due to where it appears, and the lesions make it more difficult.

Causes

Like other forms of psoriasis, palmoplantar psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes the skin cells to multiply too quickly.

The primary cause of palmoplantar psoriasis hasn’t been established, but a combination of environmental and genetic factors are believed to be responsible for the condition.

Problems with some sweat glands can also play a role in contributing to this condition.

Lifestyle choices may also increase your risk of developing palmoplantar psoriasis.

Factors that Increases the Risk of Palmoplantar Psoriasis

 
The following factors may increase your risk of developing this condition.

• Manual labor
• Exposure to physical and chemical be irritants like detergents.
• Smoking
• Household work
• Exposure to allergens
• Farm work

Certain underlying conditions may also increase the risk of the disease. So, if you have any of the conditions below, you may have at a high risk of developing palmoplantar psoriasis:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Thyroid disease
• Streptococcal tonsillitis
• Arthritis of the anterior thorax

Complications

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, people with this condition may develop other severe medical conditions like cancer, liver disease, Crohn’s disease, hardening of the arteries, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, eye infection, depression, liver disease, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and osteoporosis. 

They’re also at a higher risk of developing psoriatic arthritis, a form of psoriasis that affects the joints.

When to See a Doctor

During psoriasis flare, a doctor can prescribe medications that will help relieve the discomfort.

The doctor will start by looking at the symptoms and the medical history of the patient. They may also carry out a biopsy or take a small skin sample during diagnosis.

This will help rule out the possibility of other skin inflammatory conditions like contact dermatitis, fungal infection, or eczema. 

Treatment

After the diagnosis, your doctor will recommend a treatment. 
Your doctor may recommend the following treatment options:

• Biologic treatments
• Light therapy
• Systemic medication
• Topical medication
• Home remedies (soaking and bathing, 
• Using a humidifier to reduce dryness
• Use of supplements and alternative treatment options, including the use of herbs and natural remedies such as apple cider vinegar, Epsom salt or dead sea salts, tea tree oil, capsaicin, turmeric, and mahonia aquifolium.

Prevention

Like any other psoriasis, there’s no permanent cure, but the various treatment options can help control the symptoms.

You can also manage the condition by maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, minimizing alcohol consumption, reducing direct exposure to chemicals and detergents, and avoiding things that may trigger the flare.