Vitamin A acid in the treatment of palmoplantar keratoderma. Clinical investigations and experimental results with 13 patients
Günther, S.H.
Archives of Dermatology 106(6): 854-857
1972
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-987X PMID: 4639248 Document Number: 44553
When 10 patients with palmoplantar keratoderma were given 48 mg retinoic acid daily by mouth there was no improvement after 3 weeks, but when retinoic acid was applied topically in a concentration of 0.1% in petroleum jelly, clinical improvement was noted even in the first week of treatment. Limiting applications to once every second day, alternating with petroleum jelly, eliminated side effects of skin inflammation and discomfort. Recurrences can be avoided by continued application once to twice weekly after complete cure. After 3 weeks of treatment by mouth or several months of topical application there was no evidence of any abnormality in liver function and no haematological or ophthalmic change.