Dyshidrosis is a type of dermatitis, characterized by itchy vesicles of 1–2 mm in size, on the palms of the hands, sides of fingers, or bottoms of the feet.

[4] After a few weeks, the top layer of skin may fall off and inflammation appear around the bases of the vesicles, and there may be peeling, rings of scale, or lichenification.

[17] In 2005, researchers from Anhui Medical University and the Chinese National Human Genome Center, Beijing, theorizing that mutations in single genes could predispose the condition, ran a study of a Chinese family with the condition present across four generations via autosomal dominant inheritance.

[7] In especially acute and severe cases, systemic steroids can be taken orally;[15] the immunosuppressive drug tacrolimus, or PUVA therapy may also be tried.

[22][8] Potassium permanganate dilute solution soaks are popular, used to "dry out" the vesicles[23] and kill off superficial Staphylococcus aureus,[24] but they can be very painful and undiluted may cause significant burning.

I have termed the disease dysidrosis [sic], because nature seems to have a difficulty in getting rid of the secreted sweat, which remains to distend the follicles, and to macerate the tissues.

In 1875 Hutchinson published his book Illustrations of Clinical Surgery, describing the condition of "cheiro-pompholyx" without making reference to Tilbury Fox's work.

[34] In an editorial for the Chicago Medical Journal and Examiner, Dr. Nathan Smith Davis wryly described the dispute as "not the first occasion upon which two eminent men have contended for the honor of a lady's hand.