Palmoplantar Pustulosis (PPP)
  • About the Author
  • The Book
  • What is PPP?
    • Photos of PPP
    • FAQ
  • Blog
  • Support
  • About the Author
  • The Book
  • What is PPP?
    • Photos of PPP
    • FAQ
  • Blog
  • Support

How Rare is Palmoplantar Pustulosis?

6/17/2020

8 Comments

 
Paloplantar pustulosis-a rare skin disease
Palmoplantar Pustulosis is a rare chronic skin disease and generally there are not many statistics on PPP out there. According to some researchers PPP is part of the psoriasis family, and to others it is not. The views differ as the genetic predispositions are not the same for both psoriasis and PPP. The crops of pustules may occur with psoriasis, or like in my case without any other form of psoriasis at all.  

Different studies are showing a different prevalence rate when it comes to how common amongst the population Palmoplantar Pustulosis are,  depending on which country the statistics has been pulled from. 

The Swedish dermatology department has an outpatient data register which found an incidence of PPP in relation to other skin diseases in 0.37 percent of patients. Patients with signs of psoriasis elsewhere on the body were excluded in this study. This gives a  prevalence of PPP in Sweden of about 0.05%.  Just like any other autoimmune disease the majority of the patients are women (75-82%) and the age at onset is usually between 40 and 60 years. The study is from 1971, so these numbers have most likely increased since then. (Enfors & Molin 1971, Hellgren & Mobacken 1971).

In a more recent study from 2019 researchers pulled out data from the healthcare registries and insurance databases in the US, Denmark and Germany and got an estimate during a 1-year prevalence of 0.009%, 0.005% and 0.08% in each country. 
USA            0.009% = 900 people per 100 000 population
Denmark   0.005% = 500 people per 100 000 population
Sweden      0.005% = 500 people per 100 000 population

Germany    0.08% = 8000 people per  100 000 population

According to a Japanese study, Japan had a confirmed prevalence of 0.0012% PPP sufferers in the whole country during the years of 2010 and 2011. They found out that 148 887 people in Japan had PPP during that period out of a population of 128 million. 12 663 patients out of those 148 887 also had psoriasis. The study is really good as 95% of the whole population is included in it. In Japan they register every disease of a patient using a specific code.

​Japan - 0,0012 = 120 people / 100 000 population

So the fact is Palmoplantar Pustulosis is not that common of a disease compared to other autoimmune diseases.

The interesting data is to why the PPP prevalence is so much higher in Germany compared to the other countries above? I can’t find any information about this and I can’t find any information if Germany has a higher rate of other autoimmune diseases compared to Denmark, Sweden, US and Japan.


Prevalence of PPP across studies.
Palmoplantar Pustulosis an autoimmune skin disease
Image Source tandfonline.com

Autoimmune disease are increasing

Autoimmune diseases affect millions of people all around the world and It's one of the top ten causes of death in women under the age of 65. It's the second highest cause of chronic illness, and is the top cause of morbidity in women in the United States. Researchers estimate there’s around 80 different types of autoimmune diseases including lupus, Type 1 diabetes, Celiac, Multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and many more. 

If you look at statistics over autoimmune diseases worldwide they are increasing. They estimate that 41 000 000 people in America have an autoimmune disease according to this study published in 2020, but it’s probably much higher now as the study only compared data between 1988 and 2012. The average percentage of autoimmune diseases in the western world is 5%. In Asia the rate is a bit lower.

Until recently it was believed that genetics was the main factor contributing to autoimmune predisposition. But the rate at which autoimmune diseases are rising far exceeds the rate at which genes can pass them on. So the increase in autoimmune diseases over the past 20 to 30 years can't be explained down to only genetics as the genes don’t change that fast over generations. This means it must be something environmental as well.

Studies are also starting to look into if diet and lifestyle has an impact on onset autoimmune disease. In the Western countries over the last hundred years our diet has changed profoundly as a result of us eating a high intake of calories derived from fried products, butter, sugar, gluten and processed food are being favoured over dietary regimens rich in fruits and vegetables. The poor quality of food has also resulted in a  lack of intake of vitamins and minerals which is crucial for our immune system to operate most efficiently.  In Asia and Southeast Asia, autoimmune disease was almost unheard of a couple of decades ago but with their financial and living conditions improving so are their change in diet habits which are becoming more westernised. People from developing nations are also developing the same rate of autoimmune disease as the rest of the western world.

​I write more about how diet at lifestyle changes can heal Palmoplantar Pustulosis or any other autoimmune disease in my boo
k, do consider reading it if you are looking into healing PPP using a natural approach .

Åsa Kärrman

​
8 Comments
Nanna
8/25/2020 01:09:58 pm

Hi. In your book it says avoid iron and calcium to combat biofilm, but you recommend taking chlorella and drinking green juices. Chlorella is rich in iron and often green juices are too. So should I or should I not limit iron?

Reply
Åsa link
9/1/2020 10:22:23 pm

Hi Nanna,

Apologies for my late reply and thanks for your comment and the great question.

It’s correct to avoid calcium and iron if you want to break down biofilms, as the bad gut bacteria are using these minerals to form biofilms in the gut (biofilms inhibit the gut’s ability to absorb vitamins and minerals) . But at the same time, the body needs iron (and all the other minerals and vitamins crucial for the immune system to function properly) so you still need to consume it. The benefit with green juices is that it makes it easier for the gut to absorb the nutrients straight away. There is no process of breaking down the juice in the intestines as the fibre is removed compared to if you were to eat the vegetable instead of juicing them. My advice is, if you suspect you have biofilms, do not supplement on iron and try to avoid red meat during your healing process. But do drink iron rich green juices :) I hope that makes sense. All the best, Åsa

Reply
crystal
9/14/2020 10:12:44 am

I just received my copy of the book.. I pray that soon I may see the light at the end of the tunnel. Metal Toxicity led to my PPP.. My team of docs believes smoking is a factor with PPP because of the nickel. At least that's what they've concluded with my case in mind.
I am curious however, how should i proceed ? With the severe metal allergy as my focal point or the PPP taking the lead.. Because just about every food, every liquid ( from water to milk) , the soil, just about every surface contain metal. I'm concerned about my inability to gain the required nutrients.. I am in a constant state of "flare-up" because of the wide reach of metals in our lives( especially here in Minnesota, USA because our landscape is so extremely high in nickel,chromium and cobalt)
It's insane. This is just so insane

Reply
Åsa link
9/14/2020 07:47:54 pm

Hi Crystal,

I’m glad to hear the book has arrived :)

I totally understand your dilemma in regards to being surrounded by metal everywhere. Have you done an allergy test?
I mean it could be a good thing to get it confirmed that you are actually sensitive towards certain metals.

I would still advise you to follow the healing step which I outlined in my book. If you follow these steps you will strengthen your immune system which means your body will be better with coping with the metal toxicity as well.

Crystal, when reading your comment above and your posts in our facebook group I think in your case the flares might also be stress related. So you will need to find a way to cut out stress from your life. My PPP was most certainly stress related (my major trigger). If you haven't already, I recommend you reading my blog post on stress connected to Palmoplantar pustulosis, just copy and paste the link below.

We all deal with stress differently but my biggest advice would be, try to do as little as possible. Keep your diary free and spend the days with as much "me time" as possible, lie in bed and read, have a bath (or a long shower) go for a long walk etc... whatever works best for you.

https://www.well-healed.com/-palmoplantar-pustulosis/stress

Everything is going to be fine!

Keep in touch,

Åsa


Reply
Dusman
11/14/2021 02:44:37 pm

Hello,

I appreciate your site. I was diagnosed with PPP when I was only 17. I also have ulcerative colitis (in remission, yay!) and I am currently being worked up for some type of inflammatory arthritis (inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] related or possibly related to the PPP). I can remember being 17-18 years old, going to the dermatologist with almost the entire bottom of my foot covered in painful pustules, and he gave me a special prescription cream, instructed me to lather the entire bottom of my foot with it, and cover it with gauze and Saran Wrap while I was sleeping, That helped a little bit, but it sure was messy and it didn't prevent a relapse. I also had to wear double socks, very cushioned shoes, and Dr. Scholls gel inserts in my shoes to even be able to tolerate walking. It was a miserable time. I have also gotten it on my palms and my fingers, but thankfully, never as severe as the plantar surface of my feet.

Interestingly, my PPP would go into long periods of remission, only to show up out of nowhere and then last for months to even over a year at a time. I have not had a PPP flare in approximately 2 years. I have probably had 20-25 flares of it over the last 29 years since I was diagnosed (I'm 46 at the time of writing this comment). I have never smoked, am male, and have always had to focus carefully on eating a very healthy diet due to my history of IBD, and am not aware that I have any metal allergies. However, it seems that my PPP flares when I am under a lot of mental stress and/or I am also engaging in too much physical exercise. Thus, I think that stress is probably the main trigger for my PPP.

As noted, I am currently being worked up for some type of inflammatory arthritis, and PPP is apparently associated with psoriatic arthritis.

Thanks again for your website and valuable information!

Reply
Åsa Well-Healed
11/14/2021 07:17:17 pm

Hi Dusman,
Thank you so much for sharing your story!
I'm sorry to hear about your inflammatory arthritis, as you say, PPP is associated with psoriatic arthritis, I write more about that here: https://www.well-healed.com/-palmoplantar-pustulosis/arthritis.
May I ask you if you ever "went gluten free"?
Stay well, Åsa

Reply
Victoria Femdom link
12/27/2022 09:07:10 am

Great blogg

Reply
Åsa link
12/29/2022 10:31:03 am

Thank you ❤️

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    If you want to heal your palmoplantar Pustulosis naturally, Do get a copy of my book where I teach in detail how to succeed and how to end up in remission long term.
     Palmoplantar Pustulosis diet
    Get my free booklet outlining the foods you can eat and which ones to avoid while healing from PPP . Enter your email address below and click subscribe.



    ​Most Read

     1. Why is it so difficult to diagnose Palmoplantar Pustulosis?

    2. What is the perfect diet to follow when healing from Palmoplantar Pustulosis (PPP)?

    3. What is Palmoplantar Pustulosis?
    ​
    4. Palmoplantar Pustular Psoriasis causes - 4 Quick Tips to boost your immune System and clear from PPP

    5. ​Palmoplantar Pustulosis Success Story​


    RSS Feed

Disclaimer and privacy policy terms:
Read our GDPR privacy policy here

The information and advice published or made available through the www.well-healed.com web site is not intended to replace the services of a doctor nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Information on this web site is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information on this web site for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. You should consult a physician in all matters relating to your health, and particularly in respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. Any action on your part in response to the information provided in this web site is at the reader’s discretion. Readers should consult their own doctors or naturopaths concerning the information on this web site. www.well-healed.com makes no representations or warranties with respect to any information offered or provided on or through the www.well-healed.com web site regarding treatment, action, or application of medication or therapies. www.well-healed.com is not liable for any direct or indirect claim, loss or damage resulting from use of this web site and/or any web site(s) linked to/from it. Well Healed is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.