Overview
Acrokeratosis verruciformis of Hopf, sometimes called AKV or Hopf's disease, is a rare inherited skin condition that causes small, wart-like bumps to grow on the skin. The name comes from the Greek words for 'extremity' and 'horn-like,' which describes where and how the bumps appear. These flat or slightly raised growths most often show up on the backs of the hands, fingers, feet, and toes, though they can also appear on the wrists and forearms. The bumps look similar to common warts but are not caused by a virus — they are the result of a genetic change that affects how skin cells grow and stack up. The condition is caused by changes in the ATP2A2 gene, the same gene involved in a related skin disorder called Darier disease. Symptoms usually begin in childhood or early adulthood and tend to stay stable over time. The skin changes are mostly cosmetic, meaning they do not usually cause serious health problems, but they can sometimes be itchy or uncomfortable, and some people feel self-conscious about their appearance. There is no cure for acrokeratosis verruciformis of Hopf. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and improving the look of the skin. Options include moisturizing creams, retinoid medications, and procedures to remove individual bumps. With proper skin care, most people with this condition live full, healthy lives.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Small, flat or slightly raised wart-like bumps on the backs of the hands and fingersSimilar bumps on the tops of the feet and toesBumps may also appear on the wrists and forearmsSkin growths that look like flat warts but are not caused by a virusThickened skin on the palms and soles in some peoplePitting or small indentations in the fingernails or toenailsMild itching or discomfort in affected areasSkin changes that tend to appear in childhood and persist lifelongBumps that do not usually go away on their own
Clinical phenotype terms (12)— hover any for plain English
Autosomal dominant
Passed on from just one parent; each child has about a 50% chance of inheriting it
Childhood
Begins in childhood, roughly ages 1 to 12
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Acrokeratosis verruciformis of Hopf.
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Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Acrokeratosis verruciformis of Hopf.
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Is my diagnosis confirmed by a skin biopsy or genetic test, and should I have genetic testing done?,Should other family members be tested or examined for this condition?,What moisturizers or creams do you recommend for daily skin care?,Are retinoid treatments appropriate for me, and what are the risks?,Are there any procedures to remove the bumps, and would they be permanent?,Are there any activities or products I should avoid to prevent the bumps from getting worse?,Where can I find support groups or more information about this condition?
Common questions about Acrokeratosis verruciformis of Hopf
What is Acrokeratosis verruciformis of Hopf?
Acrokeratosis verruciformis of Hopf, sometimes called AKV or Hopf's disease, is a rare inherited skin condition that causes small, wart-like bumps to grow on the skin. The name comes from the Greek words for 'extremity' and 'horn-like,' which describes where and how the bumps appear. These flat or slightly raised growths most often show up on the backs of the hands, fingers, feet, and toes, though they can also appear on the wrists and forearms. The bumps look similar to common warts but are not caused by a virus — they are the result of a genetic change that affects how skin cells grow and st
How is Acrokeratosis verruciformis of Hopf inherited?
Acrokeratosis verruciformis of Hopf follows a autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Acrokeratosis verruciformis of Hopf typically begin?
Typical onset of Acrokeratosis verruciformis of Hopf is childhood. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Which specialists treat Acrokeratosis verruciformis of Hopf?
15 specialists and care centers treating Acrokeratosis verruciformis of Hopf are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.