Palmoplantar psoriasis is a specific type of psoriasis that primarily affects the skin on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. This chronic autoimmune condition causes skin cells to grow at an accelerated rate, forming thick patches. Unlike other forms of psoriasis that might affect larger body surface areas, palmoplantar psoriasis is localized to these particular regions. This unique manifestation on the hands and feet can significantly impact an individual’s daily life.
Understanding Palmoplantar Psoriasis
Palmoplantar psoriasis is characterized by distinct symptoms on the hands and feet, including redness, scaling, and thickening of the skin. The affected areas often develop painful fissures or cracks, which can sometimes bleed. Patients commonly report intense itching, a burning sensation, and soreness in these regions. The condition can also present with small, sterile pustules, a subtype known as palmoplantar pustulosis. These symptoms can appear symmetrically on both hands and feet, and while they may come and go, the condition itself is chronic, meaning it persists over time.
The rapid growth of skin cells, which typically takes about a month, occurs in only three to four days in individuals with psoriasis, leading to a buildup of cells on the skin’s surface. While the exact cause is not fully understood, it involves an overactive immune system. This condition can significantly affect a person’s quality of life, even though it may cover a relatively small area of the body.
Functional Limitations Caused by Palmoplantar Psoriasis
The symptoms of palmoplantar psoriasis directly impair a person’s ability to perform everyday tasks and work-related activities. The pain, itching, and cracking on the soles of the feet can make walking, standing, and wearing shoes uncomfortable and difficult. This may lead to significant mobility problems, limiting activities that require prolonged standing or walking.
Similarly, involvement of the palms can hinder the use of hands, impacting fine motor skills. Tasks such as grasping objects, typing, writing, using tools, or driving can become difficult. Constant discomfort, bleeding, and infection from skin fissures can make even simple daily routines, like washing hands or preparing food, distressing. These limitations contribute to a substantial impairment in quality of life, regardless of the overall body surface area affected by the condition.
Defining Disability
A disability refers to a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines disability as “impairments, limitations, and restrictions”. These limitations can affect various aspects of life, including movement, thinking, remembering, learning, communicating, and performing daily activities.
Definitions of what constitutes a disability can vary depending on the specific legal or social context, such as those used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) or under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). An illness does not need to be permanent to be considered a disability, but it refers to an ongoing condition that has lasted or is expected to last for at least six months and restricts daily activities. A chronic illness can lead to a disability, although not every chronic illness immediately results in a disability.
Seeking Disability Support
When exploring disability support for a chronic condition like palmoplantar psoriasis, comprehensive medical documentation is required. This includes detailed records from healthcare providers outlining the diagnosis, symptoms, and the severity of the condition. It also includes information on treatments attempted and their effectiveness.
Documentation should clearly describe the specific functional limitations caused by the condition, detailing how the symptoms impair daily activities and work capabilities. This might involve notes from doctors or specialists explaining how pain, cracking, or limited mobility affect walking, standing, or hand use. The process of applying for disability support can be complex and often involves multiple steps, including potential appeals if an initial application is denied.