Living with Focal palmoplantar and gingival keratoderma
A very rare skin condition with painful thick patches on the soles and palms and thickened white patches on the gums.
Understanding Focal palmoplantar and gingival keratoderma
Painful thick patches form on weight-bearing areas of the soles, with milder thickening in pressure areas of the palms. The gums have a painless thick white patch. Some people also have heavy sweating, bumps around hair follicles, or more widespread mouth involvement. It begins in childhood.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Thick, painful patches on the soles
- Thickened palms and soles
- Thickened gum tissue
- Gum overgrowth
- Heavy sweating (hyperhidrosis)
- Nail changes
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include genetic specialists and skin, hair, and nail specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Genetic specialists (geneticists); Skin, hair, and nail specialists (dermatologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
Changes in genes cause it. It is autosomal dominant, which means one changed copy of a gene is enough. GARD doesn't name the gene.
Also known as: focal palmoplantar and gingival hyperkeratosis; focal palmoplantar and gingival hyperkeratosis syndrome; focal palmoplantar and oral mucosa hyperkeratosis; keratosis, focal palmoplantar and gingival
Patient organizations
- Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin TypesFocal palmoplantar and gingival keratoderma · United States
- Children's Skin Disease FoundationSkin diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Focal palmoplantar and gingival keratoderma.
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