my grand daughters hand and feet

[grand dad]

My grand daughter is now 5 years old shortly after birth we noticed her hands and feet had a very thick layer of skin. They tend to sweat more than normal and as she got older the skin cracked and pealed. The skin is so thick that it takes on a yellow colour.
In every other way she perfect has not illness or unusual aspects. There are no known conditions like this in either family .We have taken her to a specialist here in Spain but could not get a satisfactory answer,they susgested to come back when she is older about 9 years old. The condition is not getting any better,we have tried to find out what exactly is the the problem called but when we find similar symtoms on the net there seems to be more symtoms than she has. She cannot wear most types of shoes as her feet sweat so much that the skin get

[grand dad]

Have sent photos six times but don

[grand dad]

Dear Doctor,
           I sent you photos but did not have your correct address so they were returned.
I am eager for you to see them because the Doctor we Know  is in Harley street in  London and as we live in Spain the trip is not an easy one. To make the trip only to be told there is no cure will be dissapointing but if we can find out as much information before hand then the trip may be whorthwhile. I hope you can see why I am eager to get as much input as possible and this is why I have taken photos.
Thank you for your help
Gerald Perego
(grand dad)

[grand dad]

Thank you I have done that with an explanation of why.

[grand dad]

Would it be more helpfull if I sent you some photos of the problem?

Thank you.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

You can send them to my website, which is hyperlinked to this site.  But you're still going to have to see a doctor in person.

Dr. Rockoff

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Please look at Picture #3 on http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic190.htm

I'm not saying that's what your granddaighter has, only that it may be something in that family of conditions.  You'll need an expert for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Rockoff

[grand dad]

I have looked up photos of ichthyoses on the net but they do not
look like what my grand daughter has.Her skin is much much thicker, too thick to blister,it tends to crack and peel off the outer layers.It is only on the soles of the feet and the palms of her hands. When the skin is soft it can be rubbed off with your fingers,sometimes too much comes off and can be painfull for days

Thank you

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Thickening of the palms and soles is usually hereditary (though of course not always), and often not associated with any other medical problems.

There is no cure, but treatment is usually available to mitigate the symptoms of sweating and extra layers of thick skin.  This requires dedication and perseverance (using such medications as salicylic acid in ointment bases.)

May advice is to find a specialist, perhaps at a medical center, familiar with the class of skin conditions called "ichthyoses," of which your granddaughter's case is a relatively minor and localized variant.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff