What is palmar erythema?
Palmar erythema is a rare condition in which a person's palms become red. The palms may feel warm to the touch, but they are not swollen, painful, or itchy.
In darker skin tones, instead of being red or pink, the palms are darker than normal.
In erythema, the redness of the palms resembles a rash - the skin turns pale when pressed.
The intensity of the redness depends on the person's body temperature, physical activity, and emotional state.
Primary palmar erythema is a physical symptom and is not caused by another condition. The most common cause of primary palmar erythema is pregnancy. Genetic predisposition is also a factor.
In some clinical cases, it is idiopathic, meaning the cause remains unknown.
Secondary palmar erythema is a symptom of an underlying pathology, such as liver disease.
The following conditions can also cause palmar redness:
- Thyrotoxicosis;
- Autoimmune diseases;
- Endocrine disorders;
- Hepatitis C;
- Atopic dermatitis;
- Viral or bacterial infection;
- Tobacco;
- Metastatic breast cancer;
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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