Keratodermia palmo-plantaris hereditaria /Tun Thost-Unna/

Hi,

I would like to ask if someone knows a cure or a method of finding relief for hereditary Keratodermia palmo-plantaris hereditaria /Tun Thost-Unna/  in my 7-months old son. Currently we reside in Bulgaria and local medicine offers us no method to cure this but only to explain genetically why this has appeared in the child, something that I am not interested in.

I would appreciate any help!

Rgds
Stoyan Lilov
[e-mail]

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Mr Lilov:

The mainstay of treating hyperkeratosis is to apply ointments containing salicylic acid.  I would start with 4% and increase gradually as tlerated, applying the ointment once daily, preferably after washing.

Salicylic acid and the ointment in which it is mixed are both expremely simple and inexpensive products.  Although I haven't checked with on-line pharmaceutical firms, I bet you can order them on the Web.  (Ask for 120 grams of 4% salicylic acid in hydrated petrolatum.)

Best.

Dr. R

[Stoian Lilov]

Many thanks!
I would like to ask if this applies to the same Type of Keratosis
"Thost Unna"?
Also how to gradually increase the concentration of this acid in time, I mean, something like 6 % after two months or.....?
Does it have any side-effects and what types? Can we expect the child to heal completely or is it a temporary relief?

I appreciate very much your kindness and your concern!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It applies to any type of hyperkeratosis.  I would increase the concentration every 2 months (perhaps a doctor can help supervise this.)  It smooths the skin but the genetic tendency persists, so treatment may be needed indefinitely, at least off and on.  There are no expected side-effects other than mild irritation, easily reversible by stopping every once in a while for a couple of days.

Best.

Dr. R

[Cathy R]

My sister has very thick pitted and discolored skin on her feet , hands and now it appears that it is spreading to her face.  She has been told that it is Keratoderma palmoplantar.  It is very unattractive and she is self conscious about her feet.  She is african american, 30yo  and the salacilc acid does not appear to be helping.  Is there anything else out there for adults with this condition?  Also, is it normal for this condition to spread?

Thank you

[Annette Mathieu]

I have had this condition since I was 18 montha
old.  I'm assuming I got this because my
father had it.  And his mother (my grandmother)
I also found out that my father's grandmother
had this condition.  I have this condition,
my brother has this condition.  But, even
stranger is that my Uncle (fathers brother)
did not get this condition at all.  My Uncle
had four children. None of them have this
condition, either.  My Uncle's two grand-
children (2) did not get this condition.
Both my brother and I have this condition,
and both my brothers and I - have two child-
ren.  Both first borns ended up with the
"the curse from HELL", at least that's what
we call it.  Surely there is a cure for
these embarrising feet and hands.  I mean
science has come so far. My 20 year old
swears that he is going to cut the nerve
to his feet.  It is an awful thing thing to
grow up with.  I am 47 years old, and I would
like for you to please find a way to cure us
permently. We have never been able to go
barefoot.  And when we swim, it turns white
and the callouses swell up and people look
at your feet, and ask what's wrong with your
feet? At present, we continually see our
Podiatrist. But I don't want to rely on
someone always being around  to shave my
callouses.  Because,you see, my grandmother
lived to be 90 years old.  And I can remember
him having to go to the nursing home and soaking
her feet with Dr. Schold's foot soaking
powder.  I really don't want to go through
that scene, again!!
Thanks,
Annette Mathieu
***@****

[Carl Stern]

My daughter who resides in the state of Washington has a condition called Keratoderma where her skin on both hands & feet crack. This causes much pain for this 50 year old. Can you please decribe the condition so that I can understand what is happening to her. She is now on a medication called Clobetasol
& also on Lac-Hydrin. Any information will be appreciated.
                    
                                 Thank you
                                 Carl

[MAJA BUJAS]

I suffer from Keratodermia palmoplantaris Unna Thost from the early childhood (it appeared at age of 5). Now I'm 39 years old and I must say that I'm pretty tired trying variuos methods that could improve my condition. I undertand that it is something I will probably have to deal with throughout my lifetime.
A month ago I was encouraged to visit a doctor from Tibet who has his practice in Zagreb. I was curious to hear his opinion and here are his comments: my blood is in very bad condition and it reflects on skin. He is very optimistic in curing this unpleasant diagnoses and he gave me their medicine to use (drink and apply on palms and feet) for the period of 6 months.
After a month of treatment the result is that after 34 years my hands and feet do not sweet any more. Everyone who suffers from keratodermia knows how unpleasant it is but at the moment I don't have this problem. I'm both suspicious and optimistic but I'll continue with this  - you take kind of pills (some herbs) 3 times a day before and after breakfast, after lunch and supper with glass of boiled water. The cream for hands and feet is pure butter- milk fat (GHEE) mixed with some powder he gave me.
I'm interested to hear some proffesional opinion on Chinese medicine particularly from Tibet.
Thanks in advance.

[Deb Langhans]

I've been trying to research my husband & stepdaughter's skin condition, keratodermia palmoplantaris Unna Thost, & I discovered this website & read your informative response.  

My stepdaughter is now eleven years old, a preteen, & has already been teased about her hands.  While I understand that salicylic acid is often used to soften the effected areas, do you know of any other treatment, allopathic or alternative, that deals with removing or minimizing the caluses?  What about the orange (keratin) discoloration?  Also, I'd appreciate knowing the significance of the name, Unna Thost.

Thank you very much for your speedy response.

Deb Langhans
Olympia, WA, USA