SummaryFoot dermatitis can be an extremely disabling problem. Blistering and weeping feet may become secondarily infected and painful fissuring often occurs, resulting in inability to walk. The diagnosis of contact dermatitis due to shoes should be considered in every case of persistent foot dermatitis. It is only by careful patch testing that this diagnosis can be made. The so‐called typical clinical pattern of shoe contact dermatitis is often not present. A shoe contact dermatitis can be superimposed on an endogenous foot dermatitis.