Palmar erythema is a reddening of the palms of the hands affecting the thenar and hypothenar eminences. The soles of the feet are often also affected.
Palmar erythema can be a feature of chronic liver disease, pregnancy, thyrotoxicosis, rheumatoid arthritis, polycythaemia and rarely chronic febrile diseases, chronic leukaemia, or shoulder-hand syndrome.
Palmar erythema may also be the result of dermatoses such as eczema or psoriasis. It may also be a normal finding.
It has been attributed to high oestrogen levels.
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