Treatment of pustulosis palmaris et plantaris with oral doses of colchicine.

The effect of oral doses of colchicine on pustule formation was studied in 32 patients with pustulosis palmaris et plantaris without associated psoriasis. Oral administration of colchicine, 1 to 2 mg daily, was started during periods of disease exacerbation, and the dosage was gradually decreased to 0.5 to 1 mg daily in responsive patients. Thirteen patients showed complete clearing of pustulation, and 14 patients showed a remarkable reduction in pustule formation after two to eight weeks of treatment. One patient did not respond and four discontinued treatment because of nausea or diarrhea. During a three-month follow-up evaluation after treatment was stopped, relapse occurred in eight cases. Colchicine appears to be effective in the suppression of acute exacerbations of pustulosis palmaris et plantaris.