The enigma of juvenile plantar dermatosis.

Juvenile plantar dermatosis, which is sometimes accompanied by palmar changes, is a chronic condition. It is characterized by shiny redness, anhidrosis, and fissuring of the skin. Microscopically, focal inflammatory changes at the junctions of sweat-gland ducts and acrosyringia are seen. The pathogenesis is unknown. We surmise that individual susceptibility, bacterial colonization, and the use of man-made leather substitutes and fibers are the main causative factors.