Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD
Exfoliative dermatitis, also called erythroderma, is a rare but severe medical condition in which inflammation, redness, and shedding affect at least 90% of a person's body surface. This condition requires immediate medical intervention to decrease the risk of developing complications that can even lead to death.
This article covers exfoliative dermatitis symptoms, causes, and treatments.
How Exfoliative Dermatitis Looks: Symptom Identification
Symptoms of exfoliative dermatitis include but are not limited to:
Widespread redness or rash of the skin
Pruritus or intense itching
Scaling, peeling, cracking, crusting skin
Skin color changes
Naila becoming thicker, brittle, or pitting
Malaise (feeling ill)
Because there can be a loss of layers of the skin, some people may not be able to regulate their body temperature normally and may experience fever or chills.
Multiple Causes of Exfoliative Dermatitis (and Unknowns)
Exfoliative dermatitis usually develops due to a preexisting underlying medical condition or as a reaction to certain medications. Some of the numerous causes of erythroderma are:
Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
Autoimmune diseases such as lupus, dermatomyositis, psoriasis
Cancers such as lymphoma and leukemia
Drug-induced, including commonly prescription drugs such as penicillins, omeprazole, amiodarone, calcium channel blockers, lamotrigine, and Saint-John's-wort
In about 25% to 30% of cases, no known cause can be identified. This is referred to as idiopathic erythroderma.
How Is Exfoliative Dermatitis Diagnosed?
A thorough history and physical examination along with blood work and a skin biopsy (removing a sample of skin for evaluation in a lab) can help your healthcare provider diagnose exfoliative dermatitis.
Treatment for Severe Exfoliative Dermatitis
Severe cases of exfoliative dermatitis will require hospitalization and evaluation. It is crucial to manage and adequately balance fluids and electrolytes, so treatment typically includes intravenous (IV) hydration.
Additional treatment options can include:
Systemic steroids (those that work throughout the body) to reduce inflammation
Immunosuppressive medications such as Otrexup (methotrexate) or Azasan (azathioprine)
PUVA (psoralen plus ultraviolet A) phototherapy (light therapy)
Drugs can also cause exfoliative dermatitis. In these cases, it is recommended to identify which medication is causing the condition and stop taking it.
Having a Secondary Skin Condition
One of the skin's main functions is to act as a protective barrier, guarding the body against infection. Any time there is a breakdown of the skin's protective barrier, it leaves a person susceptible to further injury and infection.
Delay in proper identification of symptoms and diagnosis, comorbidities (secondary diseases), and a weakened skin barrier can all lead to a secondary skin infection and even sepsis (infection spreading to the bloodstream). Immediate attention and treatment are required if a secondary skin infection is suspected.
At-Home Care With Exfoliative Dermatitis
Treatment for exfoliative dermatitis depends on many factors, including its severity and complications. Most cases will require hospitalization, but for some, at-home measures may be beneficial. At-home care for exfoliative dermatitis includes:
Worsening Symptoms: When to Return to Hospital
If symptoms fail to improve or new symptoms develop while at home, it is imperative to return to the hospital for additional medical management. Some concerning signs that warrant a trip to the hospital are:
Symptoms that are worsening despite treatment
New or spreading rash
Loss of consciousness
Exfoliative dermatitis, or erythroderma, is a dermatologic emergency that requires immediate medical attention. This dermatitis consists of inflammation and shedding at least 90% of the body's surface area, leaving affected individuals susceptible to pain, infection, and even sepsis.
There are many causes of exfoliative dermatitis. The prognosis depends on the underlying cause and comorbidities. If you suspect you may have exfoliative dermatitis, seek medical attention immediately to avoid complications.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
"Kuchunguza kwa matibabu na Casey Gallagher, MD, ""Erythroderma"" ni hali ya matibabu ya nadra lakini kali ambayo uvimbe, mwekundu, na kuvuja huathiri angalau 90% ya uso wa mwili wa mtu." Hali hii inahitaji matibabu ya haraka ili kupunguza hatari ya kupatwa na matatizo ambayo yanaweza kusababisha kifo. Makala hii inazungumzia dalili, visababishi, na matibabu ya ugonjwa wa ngozi unaosababishwa na ngozi. Ugonjwa wa ngozi ya exfoliative (exfoliative dermatitis) ni ugonjwa wa ngozi ya exfoliative (exfoliative dermatitis) ambayo huathiri sehemu za ngozi za mwili kama vile ngozi ya ngozi, ngozi ya ngozi, ngozi ya ngozi, ngozi ya ngozi, ngozi ya ngozi, ngozi ya ngozi, ngozi ya ngozi, ngozi ya ngozi, ngozi ya ngozi, ngozi ya ngozi, ngozi ya ngozi, ngozi ya ngozi. Kwa sababu nyingi za Exfoliative Dermatitis (na haijulikani) Exfoliative dermatitis kwa kawaida huendelea kutokana na hali ya msingi ya matibabu au kama athari kwa dawa fulani. Ugonjwa wa ngozi (Erythroderma) ni ugonjwa wa ngozi (Erythroderma) unaosababishwa na dawa za kulevya kama vile penicillin, omeprazole, amiodarone, calcium channel blockers, lamotrigine, na St. John's wort. Hali hiyo huitwa erythroderma ya ugonjwa wa kipekee. Ugonjwa wa Dermatitis ya Kuondoa Mvua Hujulikanaje? Uchunguzi wa mwili na historia ya ugonjwa, pamoja na uchunguzi wa damu na biopsy ya ngozi (kuondoa sampuli ya ngozi kwa ajili ya tathmini katika maabara) inaweza kusaidia mtoa huduma yako ya afya kugundua dermatitis exfoliative. Matibabu ya ugonjwa wa ngozi wa exfoliative mbaya Matibabu ya ugonjwa wa ngozi ya exfoliative mbaya itahitaji kulazwa hospitalini na tathmini. Ni muhimu kusimamia na kusawazisha vizuri umajimaji na electrolytes, kwa hivyo matibabu kwa kawaida ni pamoja na hydration ya ndani ya mshipa (IV). Dawa za kuzuia ugonjwa wa ngozi kama vile Otrexone (methotrexate) au Azithromycin (azathioprine) au PVA (psoralen plus ultraviolet A) inaweza pia kusababisha dermatitis exfoliative. Katika visa hivyo, inashauriwa kutambua ni dawa gani inayosababisha hali hiyo na kuacha kuitumia. Ugonjwa wa ngozi: Moja ya kazi kuu ya ngozi ni kuhifadhi mwili dhidi ya maambukizi. Wakati wowote ambapo kizuizi cha kinga cha ngozi kinaharibika, mtu anaweza kuumia zaidi na kuambukizwa. Kuchukua muda mrefu kutambua dalili na kugundua ugonjwa, magonjwa ya kawaida (magonjwa ya pili), na kuzuia ngozi kuharibika, yote yanaweza kusababisha maambukizo ya pili ya ngozi na hata sepsis (maambukizo kuenea kwenye damu). Matatizo ya ngozi ya pili yanapokadiriwa, matibabu ya haraka yanahitajika. Matibabu ya ugonjwa wa ngozi ya exfoliative hutegemea mambo mengi, kutia ndani uzito na matatizo yake. Katika visa vingi itahitaji kulazwa hospitalini, lakini kwa baadhi ya watu, hatua za nyumbani zaweza kuwa zenye manufaa. Matibabu ya nyumbani ya ugonjwa wa ngozi ya exfoliative ni pamoja na: Kuongezeka kwa dalili: Wakati wa kurudi hospitalini: Ikiwa dalili hazibadiliki au dalili mpya zinatokea wakati wa nyumbani, ni muhimu kurudi hospitalini kwa usimamizi wa ziada wa matibabu. Dalili za ugonjwa wa ngozi ni dalili za ugonjwa wa ngozi zinazozidi kuwa mbaya licha ya matibabu, kama vile nyufa mpya au kuenea, kupoteza fahamu, au ugonjwa wa ngozi unaosababishwa na ngozi, au erythroderma, ni dharura ya ngozi ambayo inahitaji matibabu ya haraka. Ugonjwa huu unaathiri angalau 90% ya uso wa mwili na kuua watu walioathirika na maumivu, maambukizi, na hata sepsis. Kuna visababishi vingi vya ugonjwa wa ngozi unaosababishwa na kuondolewa kwa ngozi. Matokeo hutegemea kisababishi cha ugonjwa huo na magonjwa mengine yanayoambatana nayo. Ikiwa unashuku kwamba unaweza kuwa na ugonjwa wa ngozi, tafuta matibabu mara moja ili kuepuka matatizo. Soma makala ya awali juu ya Afya ya Verywell.