Palmoplantar Psoriasis: A Review of Current Therapy

Abstract

Palmoplantar psoriasis is a variant form of psoriasis that characteristically affects the skin of the palms and soles. It is chronic and inflammatory in nature and presents with hyperkeratotic, pustular, or mixed morphologies. Painful fissuring and bleeding may occur, which produces significant physical, functional, and social disability. Palmoplantar psoriasis is a therapeutically challenging condition and notoriously difficult to treat with topical therapy alone. Furthermore, limited data exist on treatment given that patients are typically excluded from clinical trials, which often require at least 10% body surface area (BSA) involved as an inclusion criterion. This article reviews the topical and systemic agents including biologics that have been investigated in the treatment of palmoplantar psoriasis. Combination therapy, comprising topical, systemic, and/or light treatments, with a particular focus on improvement in function and pain reduction, appears to be the most effective approach in treating these patients.