Medical Care

No large studies on treatment options for minute digitate hyperkeratosis (MMDH) (spiny hyperkeratosis) have been performed. Improvement in minute digitate hyperkeratosis (spiny hyperkeratosis) has been reported with treatment using the following agents:

Topical keratolytics combined with topical emollients
Tretinoin cream and oral vitamin A
Topical 5-fluorouracil cream

Resolution without treatment has also been reported.^[19]

Surgical Care

The lesions of minute digitate hyperkeratosis (spiny hyperkeratosis) can be trimmed or clipped as needed.

Diet

Nutrition is an important consideration when evaluating keratinization disorders. A review of nutritional status should be performed.

Long-Term Monitoring

Follow patients on a yearly basis because of the rarity of minute digitate hyperkeratosis (spiny hyperkeratosis). In particular, an annual skin examination and follow up by a primary care physician for age-appropriate screenings are recommended.

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Media Gallery

Multiple minute digitate hyperkeratosis. Published with permission granted from and with copyright retained by the American Medical Association. Clark JL, Davis G, Bennett DD. Arch Dermatol. 2008 Aug;144(8):1051-6.
Multiple minute digitate hyperkeratosis. Published with permission granted from and with copyright retained by the American Medical Association. Clark JL, Davis G, Bennett DD. Arch Dermatol. 2008 Aug;144(8):1051-6.

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Author

Annie Wester, MD, MS Resident Physician, Department of Dermatology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

James W Swan, MD Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine; Attending Physician, Loyola University Medical Center; Attending Physician, Section of Dermatology, Hines Veterans Affairs Medical Center

James W Swan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Contact Dermatitis Society, Chicago Dermatological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Rashid M Rashid, MD, PhD Director, Mosaic Clinic Hair Transplant Center of Houston

Rashid M Rashid, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Council for Nail Disorders, Houston Dermatological Society, International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, Texas Dermatological Society, Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

David F Butler, MD Former Section Chief of Dermatology, Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System; Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Founding Chair, Department of Dermatology, Scott and White Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Phi Beta Kappa, Texas Dermatological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD Professor and Chairman, Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Timothy McCalmont, MD Director, UCSF Dermatopathology Service, Professor of Clinical Pathology and Dermatology, Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, University of California at San Francisco; Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Cutaneous Pathology

Timothy McCalmont, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Medical Association, American Society of Dermatopathology, California Medical Association, College of American Pathologists, United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology

Disclosure: Received consulting fee from Apsara for independent contractor.