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Erythroderma - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment - Exfoliative Dermatitis

What is erythroderma?

Erythroderma is also known as exfoliative dermatitis and the red man syndrome . It is not a specific disease and can be seen in both benign and malignant diseases. Idiopathic (unknown cause) cases may persist longer than other types. Erythroderma is the term used to describe intense and usually widespread reddening of the skin due to inflammatory skin disease.

It often precedes or is associated with exfoliation (skin peeling off in scales or layers) when it may also be known as exfoliative dermatitis (ED). Erythroderma is slightly more common in men than women.

What causes erythroderma?

The causes of exfoliative dermatitis include:

• certain medications, such as penicillin, sulfonamides, isoniazid, phenytoin, and barbiturates
• Skin diseases, such as psoriasis
• lymphomas, or cancers of the lymph nodes

Erythroderma Symptoms

Erythroderma sometimes begins quite explosively and suddenly. Or sometimes it develops slowly, after a person has had a skin disease that gradually gets worse over time. The entire surface of the skin becomes red, scaly, thickened, and sometimes crusted. A person with Erythroderma may:

• Experience severe itching.
• Develop swollen lymph nodes.
• Skin patches.
• Nails become ridged and thickened or may shed.
• Increased heart rate.
• Have a fever.
• Internal malignancies eg carcinoma of rectum, lung, fallopian tubes, colon.

Treatments for Erythroderma

Treatment for Erythroderma may include:-

• Corticosteroids given through an intravenous line , by mouth, or applied to the skin to decrease the swelling and redness.
• Antihistamines for severe itch.
• Thorough and complete skin care, including cool compresses and creams, such as Vaseline or Eucerin, to help seal the skin and keep in water.

There are some side effects for the treatments of erythroderma which includes the antibiotics may cause stomach upset, diarrhea , and an allergic reaction

Prevention and Management of Erythroderma

• Always maintains the moisture skin, avoid scratching, avoid precipitating factors.
• Discontinue all unnecessary medications with the help of your doctor.
• Avoid walk in sun.

What are the risks to others?

There are no risks to others, as Erythroderma (exfoliative dermatitis) is not contagious.

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