08/11/2025
What is palmoplantar keratoderma?
‘Keratoderma’ is a term that means marked thickening of the epidermis of the skin.
‘Palmoplantar’ refers to the skin on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands; these are the areas keratoderma affects most often. Palmoplantar keratoderma is also sometimes known as ‘keratosis palmaris et plantaris’.
Classification of keratodermas depends on whether it is inherited or acquired, and the clinical features.
Diffuse keratodermas affect most of the palms and soles.
Focal keratodermas mainly affect pressure areas.
Punctate-type keratoderma results in tiny bumps on the palms and soles.
Most often the abnormal skin involves only the palms and soles (non-transgradient palmoplantar keratoderma) but sometimes it extends on to the top of the hands and feet as well (transgradient).
In some rare syndromic forms of keratoderma other organs in the body may be affected in addition to the skin, and the keratoderma can be a marker of this internal abnormality.
