Overview
Hereditary painful callosities, also known as hereditary painful corns or keratoderma palmoplantaris with painful callosities, is a rare inherited skin condition. It causes thick, hardened patches of skin — called callosities or corns — to form on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. Unlike ordinary corns that anyone might get from friction, these callosities develop because of a genetic change that affects how skin cells grow and shed. The thickened skin builds up in areas that bear pressure, and the key feature that sets this condition apart is that these patches are genuinely painful, often making walking or using the hands uncomfortable. The condition typically appears in childhood or early adulthood and tends to persist throughout life. The pain can range from mild discomfort to significant pain that interferes with everyday activities like walking, standing for long periods, or doing tasks with the hands. The skin changes are not dangerous to overall health, but the chronic pain and discomfort can meaningfully affect quality of life. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms rather than curing the condition. Options include regular removal of thickened skin (debridement), moisturizing creams, keratolytic agents (products that soften and break down hardened skin), and protective padding. There is currently no cure or disease-modifying therapy available. Working with a dermatologist and a podiatrist is usually the best approach to keeping symptoms manageable.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Thick, hardened patches of skin on the soles of the feetThick, hardened patches of skin on the palms of the handsPain in the affected areas, especially when walking or standingPainful corns or calluses that develop without unusual friction or pressureSkin thickening that worsens over timeDifficulty walking comfortably due to painful foot lesionsDiscomfort when gripping or using the handsSkin that may crack or fissure in thickened areas
Clinical phenotype terms (2)— 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 Hereditary painful callosities.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Hereditary painful callosities at this time.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Hereditary painful callosities.
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
Financial Resources
1 resourcesDupixent
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Dupixent Patient Support (Regeneron Patient Services)
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Hereditary painful callosities.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
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.Which specific gene is likely causing this condition in our family, and should we have genetic testing done?,What is the best daily skin care routine to reduce pain and prevent the skin from getting thicker?,Are there any prescription creams or medications that would work better than over-the-counter products for my situation?,How often should I see a podiatrist or dermatologist for professional skin removal?,What type of footwear or orthotics would you recommend to reduce pain when walking?,Are there any clinical trials or new treatments being studied that I should know about?,What should I watch for that would mean the skin has become infected and needs urgent treatment?
Common questions about Hereditary painful callosities
What is Hereditary painful callosities?
Hereditary painful callosities, also known as hereditary painful corns or keratoderma palmoplantaris with painful callosities, is a rare inherited skin condition. It causes thick, hardened patches of skin — called callosities or corns — to form on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. Unlike ordinary corns that anyone might get from friction, these callosities develop because of a genetic change that affects how skin cells grow and shed. The thickened skin builds up in areas that bear pressure, and the key feature that sets this condition apart is that these patches are genuinely p
How is Hereditary painful callosities inherited?
Hereditary painful callosities follows a autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Hereditary painful callosities typically begin?
Typical onset of Hereditary painful callosities is childhood. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
What treatment and support options exist for Hereditary painful callosities?
1 patient support program are currently tracked on UniteRare for Hereditary painful callosities. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.