Focal keratodermas are palmoplantar keratodermas(PPK) that involve only some areas of the palms or soles, usually over pressure points. Some types are associated with abnormalities in organs other than the skin.
Focal palmoplantarkeratoderma
Focal palmoplantar keratoderma
Focal palmoplantar keratoderma
What causes focal keratodermas?
Hereditary focal palmoplantar keratodermas are caused by a geneticabnormality. They may be inherited from one affected parent (autosomal dominant inheritance) or from both parents, who are generally unaffected (autosomal recessive inheritance). Several family members may be affected. Some types of keratoderma are associated with abnormalities of internal organs.
What are the different types of focal keratodermas?
The many different types of focal hereditary palmoplantar keratoderma look very similar. Some are associated with abnormalities of organs other than the skin.
PPK striata/areata type
Hereditary painful callosities
Autosomal dominant inheritance
DOES NOT affect organs other than the skin
Small areas of skin thickening on palms and soles in childhood
‘Striate’ type: thick lines (particularly on palms or fingers)
‘Areata’ type: circles (particularly on soles of the feet)
In most cases, mixed striate and areata thickenings
May resemble corns on the soles of the feet
The variant, hereditary painful callosities, affect only the feet
Howel-Evans syndrome
Autosomal dominant inheritance
Also called tylosis
Childhood onset of focal keratoderma
Oesophagealcancer in middle age
White areas may be seen inside the mouth (leukokeratosis)
Richner-Hanhart syndrome
Autosomal recessive inheritance
Due to an enzyme deficiency (tyrosinaemia)
Characterised by ulcers on the eye and dislike of bright light in the first year of life
Focal keratoderma in late childhood or adolescence
Most children have an intellectual disability
Restriction of phenylalanine and tyrosine in the diet is required to improve symptoms and may prevent the progression of an intellectual disability
Pachyonychia congenita
Several types exist with autosomal dominant inheritance
Characterised by thickened wedge-shaped nails
Palmoplantar keratoderma tends to be focal
The classification depends on which keratingene is mutated
Striate PPK with woolly hair and dilated cardiomyopathy
Several types exist with autosomal recessive inheritance, including Naxos disease
Coarse ‘woolly’ hair from birth
Focal keratoderma develops in infancy
Heart disease develops in adolescence
May result in clubbing of the nails
Blistering of the skin may occur
Pachyonychia congenita
Pachyonychia congenita
What is the treatment of focal hereditary keratodermas?
The following therapies soften the thickened skin and make focal keratoderma less noticeable.