Signs of the disease include thickening of the skin, on hands and soles of feet, which can turn red in color.

[7] Skin on the palms of hands and soles of feet have dry, thick patches which progress slowly.

[8] After birth it usually is obvious whether a child is affected with this disease because the hands or feet will appear to be peeling and could be red in color.

[9] It caused by genetics and is an autosomal recessive trait therefore, in order to be affected and present the disease each parent must be a carrier of the mutated allele and pass it to their kids.

[10] MDM is most common on the Dalmatian island of Mljet (or Meleda), thought to be because of a founder effect.

[7] The abnormalities on the soles of feet or on the palms of hands can be found by the physician during a full examination.

Overall, the diagnosis usually happens after birth because the majority of the time the child's hands and feet will be affected, making the condition apparent.

[citation needed] These are different patterns of disorders that cause the thickening of the skin on the hands and feet: Treatment can consist of topical lotions, drug therapies, and surgery.

Treatment has been more successful with oral retinoids than with the use of topical lotions, applied directly to the affected skin.

[9] Generally these are safe to put on skin, but possible side effects can include irritation.