Keratoderma

A 36-year-old man complained about his inability to walk because of extremely thickened soles. This condition had been present, to a variable degree, his entire life.

Key points: Physical examination disclosed massive hyperkeratosis that affected both soles. Some tender and spontaneous painful fissuring was present. This is a classic keratoderma, which can be due to a variety of congenital defects in keratinization or acquired later in life in association with disease states (eg, Reiter syndrome, psoriasis, pityriasis rubra pilaris).

Treatment: Systemic and/or concomitant topical retinoids are the treatments of choice. This patient was treated with acitretin (50 mg/d orally) and tazarotene (0.05% cream, applied twice daily), with significant improvement.

Note: Adjunctive therapy may consist of application of humectant and emollient-containing moisturizers. Such moisturizers might include lactic acid, urea, petrolatum, and mineral oil.