It involves eruptions of sores called pustules on the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet.
Pustules areblistersfilled with a cloudy liquid.
They can be itchy, painful, and cause a burning sensation.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
Some cases are severe enough to be debilitating.
This article walks you through the symptoms and causes of PPP, plus how its diagnosed and treated.
It can go on for years, and so far researchers dont know what makes it flare.
Symptoms of PPP can include:
Pressure, rubbing, or friction can make the symptoms worse.
The skin may also develop painful cracks.
You have several of those on your palms and soles.
PPP is more common in people withpsoriasis.
It may involveautoimmune or autoinflammatoryprocesses, where your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells.
Research shows that the condition is associated with:
Women are more likely to have PPP.
It can start at any age, but most likely between 40 and 69.
Diagnosis
A healthcare provider may be able to diagnose PPP on sight.
They may take swabs to confirm that the blisters dont contain pathogens (e.g.,bacteria,fungi).
If the diagnosis isnt clear, they may perform a biopsy, but this is uncommon.
During this procedure, a small skin sample is removed and sent to a lab for analysis.
Treatment
Treatment options for PPP may include:
Some of these therapies may be used together.
In severe cases,immunosuppressive drugsmay help.
While smoking does contribute to PPP, quitting doesnt always clear it up.
This may lead to red, scaly areas with skin that cracks easily.
Pustules may itch, burn, or be debilitatingly painful.
The causes of PPP arent known.
Smoking, bacterial infections, skin allergies, and genetics may play a role.
Diagnosis may involve an exam, swabs of pustule fluid, or in rare cases, a biopsy.
Treatment for PPP may consist of topical steroids, retinoids, moisturizers, phototherapy, and immunosuppressants.
You may benefit from talking to a mental health professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is palmoplantar pustulosis a bang out of psoriasis?
PPP may be a throw in of psoriasis.
Does palmoplantar pustulosis go away?
Outbreaks of PPP will go away eventually, especially with treatment.
PPP cant be cured, though, so theres never a guarantee that you wont have another flare-up.
How rare is palmoplantar pustulosis?
PPP is quite rare.
Between 0.01% and 0.05% of the population is estimated to have it.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Palmoplantar pustulosis.
2020;13:561-578. doi:10.2147/CCID.S240607
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Palmoplantar pustulosis.
