Palmoplantar pustulosis treated with itraconazole: a single, active-arm pilot study

Abstract

Pustulosis palmoplantaris (PPP; synonyms: pustulosis palmaris et plantaris, palmoplantar amicrobic pustulosis) is a common chronic, relapsing, pustular eruption affecting the palms and soles. The authors report the successful treatment of six therapy-experienced patients with histologically confirmed PPP with oral itraconazole (100 mg/day for 1 month, followed by a month of 100 mg/day every other day). Three of six patients showed complete clearance of pustules, significant reduction of erythema, and unnoticeable desquamation, whereas the other three patients had no new pustules appearing and had modest reduction of erythema and desquamation. All patients experienced relapses within a month of therapy cessation. Two of the three complete responders reinitiated itraconazole therapy at 100 mg/day for another 2 weeks, followed by a maintenance dose of 50 mg/day until achieving remission. As complete responses are not commonly observed in placebo treatments in placebo-controlled trials for PPP, the authors believe that the present study shows that itraconazole is an effective treatment for treatment-resistant PPP.