Keratoderma Climactericum (Haxthausen)

Keratoderma climactericum (Haxthausen’s Disease): Clinical Signs, Laboratory Findings and Etretinate Treatment in 10 Patients

“…The complementary laboratory investiga tions conducted in our 10 patients were all normal except that for microscopic pathol ogy, which revealed lesions compatible with eczema modified by more or less pro nounced lichénification. This finding agrees with the conclusions of Lynch [10], who thinks there is neurodermatitis but no spe cific histological picture of hyperestrogenic keratosis.…”

“…Hormonal assay had our particular atten tion since most authors have tended to see the triggering factor in hormonal dysrégula tion [10]; these same authors also reported cures obtained with topical or systemic es trogenic therapy [4][5][6][7][8]. It should be noted though that none of these publications ex plore ovarian, suprarenal or pituitary func- tion.…”

Palmoplantar keratoderma climactericum successfully treated with topical oestrogen

“…6 Historically, it was hypothesized that keratoderma climactericum could be a variant of palmoplantar lichen simplex chronicus. 2 Our patient's obsessive peeling of her skin may have been related to her underlying anxiety disorder and could have exacerbated her keratoderma. Importantly though, her dermatillomania developed after the onset of her palmoplantar hyperkeratosis.…”

“…Interestingly, those who received hormone replacement therapy had partial yet not complete stratum corneum normalization 6 . Historically, it was hypothesized that keratoderma climactericum could be a variant of palmoplantar lichen simplex chronicus 2 . Our patient's obsessive peeling of her skin may have been related to her underlying anxiety disorder and could have exacerbated her keratoderma.…”

“…Treatments with the most evidence for improving keratoderma climactericum include systemic oestrogen and oral retinoids. 2,3,5 However, the side effect profiles of these medications may lead to early discontinuation or prohibit their use entirely. Topical oestrogen, in contrast, has minimal to no adverse effects.…”