Pustulosis palmaris et plantaris with prominent hyperkeratosis of the soles

A 50-year-old woman developed prominent hyperkeratosis on the soles and erythema of her extremities. In this instance it was clinically difficult to distinguish the palmoplantar lesions from psoriasis vulgaris. However, our case proved to be palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) because, on histology, the extra-palmoplantar lesions showed none of the typical findings of psoriasis vulgaris, there was a history of sternoclavicular joint pain, and the lesions improved after tonsillectomy. Herein, we consider the relationship between prominent hyperkeratosis of the sole or palm in PPP and bacterial infection.