BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuErythrodermaExfoliative dermatitis; Dermatitis exfoliativa; Pruritus - exfoliative dermatitis; Pityriasis rubra; Red man syndrome; Exfoliative erythrodermaErythroderma is widespread redness of the skin. It is accompanied by scaling, peeling, and flaking of the skin, and may include itching and hair loss.ScalingScales are a visible peeling or flaking of outer skin layers. These layers are called the stratum corneum.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Erythroderma may occur due to:Complication of other skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis EczemaAtopic dermatitis is a long-term (chronic) skin disorder that involves scaly and itchy rashes. It is a type of eczema. Other forms of eczema include...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article PsoriasisPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes skin redness, silvery scales, and irritation. Most people with psoriasis have thick, red, well-defined pat...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Reaction to medicines or some chemicals, such as phenytoin and allopurinol Some types of cancer, such as lymphomaSometimes the cause is unknown. It is more common in males. Symptoms Symptoms may include any of the following:Redness over 80% to 90% of the body Scaly skin patches Thickened skin Skin is itchy or painful with an odor Swelling of the arms or legs Fast heart beat Loss of fluids, leading to dehydration Loss of temperature regulation by the bodyThere may be secondary infections of the skin. Exams and Tests Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and take your medical history. The provider will do a skin examination with a dermatoscope. Most of the time, the cause can be identified after the exam.If needed, the following tests may be ordered:Biopsy of the skin Allergy testing Other tests to find the cause of erythroderma Treatment Since erythroderma can quickly lead to serious complications, the provider will start treatment right away. This usually involves strong doses of cortisone medicines to reduce inflammation. Other treatments may include:Medicines to treat the underlying cause of erythroderma Antibiotics for any infection Dressings applied to the skin Ultraviolet light Correction of fluid and electrolyte balance Outlook (Prognosis) In serious cases, the person needs to be treated in the hospital. Possible Complications Complications may include:Secondary infections that can lead to sepsis (bodywide inflammatory response) SepsisSepsis is an illness in which the body has a severe, inflammatory response to bacteria or other germs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fluid loss that can result in dehydration and an imbalance of minerals (electrolytes) in the body Heart failure When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider right away if:Symptoms get worse or do not get better, even with treatment. You develop new lesions. Prevention Risk for erythroderma may be reduced by following the provider's instructions on skin care. Open ReferencesReferencesCalonje E, Brenn T, Lazar AJ, Billings SD. Spongiotic, psoriasiform and pustular dermatoses. In: Calonje E, Brenn T, Lazar AJ, Billings SD, eds. McKee's Pathology of the Skin. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 6.James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM. Pityriasis rosea, pityriasis rubra pilaris, and other papulosquamous and hyperkeratotic diseases. In: James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM, eds. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 11.Whittaker S. Erythroderma. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 10.AllVideoImagesTogEczema, atopic - close-up - illustration This view shows the red, scaly patches called plaques that are characteristic of atopic dermatitis.Eczema, atopic - close-upillustrationPsoriasis - magnified x4 - illustration This picture shows a 400% magnification of psoriasis. The whitish scales give the silvery appearance to the typical psoriasis lesion.Psoriasis - magnified x4illustrationAtopic dermatitis - illustration The term dermatitis describes an inflammatory response of the skin, caused by contact with allergens or irritants, exposure to sunlight, or by poor circulation, even stress. An example of atopic dermatitis is eczema, an itchy rash that produces redness, blisters and scaling. AVOID SCRATCHING. Scratching the rash may spread the inflammation, lead to infection and even leave scars.Atopic dermatitisillustrationExfoliation following erythroderma - illustration This picture shows diffuse redness (erythema) and scaling on the arm.Exfoliation following erythrodermaillustrationEczema, atopic - close-up - illustration This view shows the red, scaly patches called plaques that are characteristic of atopic dermatitis.Eczema, atopic - close-upillustrationPsoriasis - magnified x4 - illustration This picture shows a 400% magnification of psoriasis. The whitish scales give the silvery appearance to the typical psoriasis lesion.Psoriasis - magnified x4illustrationAtopic dermatitis - illustration The term dermatitis describes an inflammatory response of the skin, caused by contact with allergens or irritants, exposure to sunlight, or by poor circulation, even stress. An example of atopic dermatitis is eczema, an itchy rash that produces redness, blisters and scaling. AVOID SCRATCHING. Scratching the rash may spread the inflammation, lead to infection and even leave scars.Atopic dermatitisillustrationExfoliation following erythroderma - illustration This picture shows diffuse redness (erythema) and scaling on the arm.Exfoliation following erythrodermaillustrationRelated Information Scales(Symptoms) Review Date: 2/15/2024 Reviewed By: Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
ErythrodermaExfoliative dermatitis; Dermatitis exfoliativa; Pruritus - exfoliative dermatitis; Pityriasis rubra; Red man syndrome; Exfoliative erythrodermaErythroderma is widespread redness of the skin. It is accompanied by scaling, peeling, and flaking of the skin, and may include itching and hair loss.ScalingScales are a visible peeling or flaking of outer skin layers. These layers are called the stratum corneum.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Erythroderma may occur due to:Complication of other skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis EczemaAtopic dermatitis is a long-term (chronic) skin disorder that involves scaly and itchy rashes. It is a type of eczema. Other forms of eczema include...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article PsoriasisPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes skin redness, silvery scales, and irritation. Most people with psoriasis have thick, red, well-defined pat...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Reaction to medicines or some chemicals, such as phenytoin and allopurinol Some types of cancer, such as lymphomaSometimes the cause is unknown. It is more common in males. Symptoms Symptoms may include any of the following:Redness over 80% to 90% of the body Scaly skin patches Thickened skin Skin is itchy or painful with an odor Swelling of the arms or legs Fast heart beat Loss of fluids, leading to dehydration Loss of temperature regulation by the bodyThere may be secondary infections of the skin. Exams and Tests Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and take your medical history. The provider will do a skin examination with a dermatoscope. Most of the time, the cause can be identified after the exam.If needed, the following tests may be ordered:Biopsy of the skin Allergy testing Other tests to find the cause of erythroderma Treatment Since erythroderma can quickly lead to serious complications, the provider will start treatment right away. This usually involves strong doses of cortisone medicines to reduce inflammation. Other treatments may include:Medicines to treat the underlying cause of erythroderma Antibiotics for any infection Dressings applied to the skin Ultraviolet light Correction of fluid and electrolyte balance Outlook (Prognosis) In serious cases, the person needs to be treated in the hospital. Possible Complications Complications may include:Secondary infections that can lead to sepsis (bodywide inflammatory response) SepsisSepsis is an illness in which the body has a severe, inflammatory response to bacteria or other germs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fluid loss that can result in dehydration and an imbalance of minerals (electrolytes) in the body Heart failure When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider right away if:Symptoms get worse or do not get better, even with treatment. You develop new lesions. Prevention Risk for erythroderma may be reduced by following the provider's instructions on skin care. Open ReferencesReferencesCalonje E, Brenn T, Lazar AJ, Billings SD. Spongiotic, psoriasiform and pustular dermatoses. In: Calonje E, Brenn T, Lazar AJ, Billings SD, eds. McKee's Pathology of the Skin. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 6.James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM. Pityriasis rosea, pityriasis rubra pilaris, and other papulosquamous and hyperkeratotic diseases. In: James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM, eds. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 11.Whittaker S. Erythroderma. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 10.