[Red painful feet after visiting a swimming bath].

Idiopathic palmoplantar eccrine hidradenitis is characterised by painful erythematous plantar and/or palmar nodules and is triggered by exposure to wet and cold conditions. The course is benign and self-limiting with a tendency for recurrence. We describe two cases in otherwise healthy children after physical activity in a swimming bath. They were hospitalised for one and three days, respectively. Diagnostic considerations are briefly reviewed. Sufficient attention to the characteristic clinical appearance could prevent unnecessary diagnostic procedures and hospitalisation.