Overview
Striate palmoplantar keratoderma (also called striate PPK or SPPK) is a rare inherited skin condition that causes thick, hardened skin to develop on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. The word 'striate' refers to the streaky or linear pattern of thickened skin that often appears along the fingers and palms, while broader patches may form on the soles. This thickening happens because the skin produces too much of a tough protein called keratin, making it build up in certain areas. The condition usually becomes noticeable in early childhood, often when a child begins walking or using their hands more actively — pressure and friction seem to trigger or worsen the thickening. The skin can become painful, especially with physical activity, and may crack or peel. In some cases, the nails may also be affected. The condition is not life-threatening, but it can significantly affect comfort and daily activities. There is currently no cure for striate palmoplantar keratoderma. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, mainly by softening and reducing the thickened skin using moisturizers, keratolytic creams (products that help shed excess skin), and sometimes oral retinoids prescribed by a dermatologist. With consistent care, many people are able to manage their symptoms and maintain a good quality of life.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Thick, hardened skin on the palms and solesStreaky or linear bands of thickened skin along the fingersBroad patches of thickened skin on the soles of the feetSkin pain or tenderness, especially with walking or grippingSkin cracking or fissuring in affected areasPeeling or shedding of thickened skinWorsening of skin thickening with pressure or frictionNail changes in some casesDifficulty with fine motor tasks due to thickened finger skinDiscomfort or difficulty walking
Clinical phenotype terms (3)— hover any for plain English
Autosomal dominant
Passed on from just one parent; each child has about a 50% chance of inheriting it
Infantile
Begins in infancy, roughly 1 month to 2 years old
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Striate palmoplantar keratoderma.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Striate palmoplantar keratoderma at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Striate palmoplantar keratoderma.
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 Striate palmoplantar keratoderma.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Striate palmoplantar keratoderma.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Striate palmoplantar keratoderma
No recent news articles for Striate palmoplantar keratoderma.
Follow this condition to be notified when news becomes available.
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 gene is causing this condition in our family, and what does that mean for other family members?,What skin care routine do you recommend, and which products are most effective?,Are there any treatments beyond moisturizers that might help, such as prescription creams or oral medications?,What signs should I watch for that would mean the condition is getting worse or becoming infected?,Are there any activities or footwear types I should avoid to prevent worsening?,Should other family members be tested, and if so, how?,Are there any clinical trials or new treatments being studied that we should know about?
Common questions about Striate palmoplantar keratoderma
What is Striate palmoplantar keratoderma?
Striate palmoplantar keratoderma (also called striate PPK or SPPK) is a rare inherited skin condition that causes thick, hardened skin to develop on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. The word 'striate' refers to the streaky or linear pattern of thickened skin that often appears along the fingers and palms, while broader patches may form on the soles. This thickening happens because the skin produces too much of a tough protein called keratin, making it build up in certain areas. The condition usually becomes noticeable in early childhood, often when a child begins walking or u
How is Striate palmoplantar keratoderma inherited?
Striate palmoplantar keratoderma follows a autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Striate palmoplantar keratoderma typically begin?
Typical onset of Striate palmoplantar keratoderma is infantile. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.