Palmar plantar erythrodysesthesia history and symptoms

Overview
Palmar plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE) is a swelling and numbness of the hands and feet that occurs with chemotherapy, usually with fluorouracil, capecitabine, cytarabine, and doxorubicin.

History and symptoms
The symptoms can occur anywhere between days to months after administration of the offending medication, depending on the dose and speed of administration (Baack and Burgdorf, 1991; Demirçay, 1997;). The patient first experiences tingling and/or numbness of the palms and soles that evolves into painful, symmetric, and well-demarcated swelling and red plaques. This is followed by peeling of the skin and resolution of the symptoms (Apisarnthanarax and Duvic 2003). Painful red swelling of the hands and feet in a patient receiving chemotherapy is usually enough to make the diagnosis.