What is Mal de Meleda?
Mal de Meleda is a rare inherited skin disorder that mainly affects the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Symptoms include redness, deep painful fissures, foul odor, sweating (hyperhidrosis), and nail problems, stemming from mutations in the SLURP-1 gene. It starts in infancy, progresses with age (progrediens), and spreads from palms/soles (transgrediens).
Main symptoms
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Thickened, hard skin on palms and soles (palmoplantar keratoderma)
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Skin changes often spread beyond palms/soles to the wrists, ankles, elbows, or knees (transgrediens)
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Redness, scaling, cracking, and sometimes painful fissures
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Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
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Strong odor due to sweating and secondary infections
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Possible nail changes
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Recurrent fungal or bacterial infections
Cause
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Mutations in the SLURP1 gene, which normally helps regulate skin inflammation and cell growth
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Without proper SLURP1 function, skin cells grow and harden abnormally
Is it contagious?
–No. It is purely genetic.
Treatment (symptom management)
There is no cure, but symptoms can be controlled:
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Keratolytic creams (urea, salicylic acid, lactic acid)
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Emollients and moisturizers
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Topical retinoids
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Oral retinoids (like acitretin) in severe cases — under specialist care
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Treatment/prevention of skin infections
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Regular care by a healthcare specialist
We are independent prescribers able to prescribe any medication from the BNF relevant to the lower limb, foot and ankle.
Are you suffering from any foot, ankle or nail condition? At The Chelsea Clinic, we can help. One of our podiatrist can assist and then recommend what treatments are best to get you back on track. Podiatrist South Kensington
Schedule an appointment here or you may call us at +44 (0) 207 101 4000.
We hope you have a feetastic day!
-The Chelsea Clinic and Team
Learn more about Palmoplantar Keratoderma
