Keratodermia blennorrhagicum (KB)

A skin disease of the palms and soles that occurs in patients with Reiter's syndrome. Reiter's is a systemic rheumatic disease, "systemic" meaning that it can and does affect other organs than the joints, causing inflammation in areas as distinct and different as the eyes, mouth, lungs, kidneys, heart, and skin. The classic areas of the skin that can become involved with Reiter's syndrome are the palms of the hands and soles of the feet (although other body surface areas may less commonly be affected). The inflammation of the skin can come and go. When present, it causes patches of reddish, raised, pustules that can be painful and tender. These patchy areas may group together and peel periodically. This skin inflammation is referred to as keratodermia blennorrhagicum (KB). KB can be treated with topical medications including skin softeners (emollients), and medications that clear off the peeling dry skin (keratolytic medications). Sometimes these treatments are used along with vitamin D creams, such as calcipotriene. Emotional stress and certain medications (such as propanolol, VASOTEC, and hydroxychloroquine/PLAQUENIL) may aggravate KB.