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English: Chronic superficial scaly dermatitis begins insidiously with one or more red, slightly scaly patches. The commonest site is on the lower limbs, but the trunk and upper limbs are often affected. It is seldom seen on the face, palms or soles.

The patches are generally round or oval, but finger-like processes are also common especially on the abdomen, and this accounts for the alternative name digitate, or finger-like, dermatosis. The patches are usually about 2.5 cm across, although much larger areas form at times, especially on the lower limbs. The colour is pink, brown or slightly yellow. The individual patches are often slightly wrinkled and appear like cigarette paper.

Symptoms are usually minimal, but some itching may occur. The patches are more prominent in winter than in summer. If they clear with treatment, they tend to recur in the same, or adjacent, areas when it is stopped.