| Erythroderma is defined as a generalized skin | | | | pigmentary changes (brown and / or white skin |
| disorder and characterized by reddening and | | | | patches) is also symptoms of erythroderma. |
| scaling of 100% of the skin. It often precedes or | | | | Erythroderma is reduce medicine and steroids. |
| is associated with exfoliation (skin peeling off in | | | | Dithranol is very effective in 85-90 % of cases. It |
| scales or layers) when it may also be known as | | | | is applied to the skin for 24 hours and used in |
| exfoliative dermatitis (ED). It is sometimes called | | | | combination with UVB. Systemic steroids may be |
| the ‘red man syndrome’ when no | | | | helpful in some cases but should be avoided in |
| primary cause can be found (idiopathic | | | | suspected cases of psoriasis and |
| erythroderma). Erythroderma is produced by | | | | staphylococcal-scalded skin syndrome. Emollients |
| several skin diseases, such as psoriasis, contact | | | | are very effective for the treatment of |
| dermatitis, drug reactions, and mycosis fungoides | | | | erythroderma. Low-dose of methotrexate , |
| (a cutaneous lymphoma). Erythroderma can arise | | | | ciclosporin or acitretin may also be beneficial for |
| from a variety of causes, most often as an | | | | the treatment of erythroderma. Apply wet |
| extension of a pre-existing skin disorder. There | | | | dressing and change it every two or three hours. |
| may also be normal areas of skin present. | | | | Apply intermediate-strength topical steroids |
| Erythroderma may also be due to an adverse | | | | beneath wet dressing. |
| drug reaction. | | | | Erythroderma Treatment Tips |
| Erythroderma can arise from a variety of causes, | | | | 1. Adequate nutrition with emphasis on protein |
| most often as an embellishmence of a | | | | intake. |
| pre-existing skin disorder. Erythroderma may also | | | | 2. Dithranol is very effective in 85-90 % of cases |
| be due to an adverse drug reaction. However, in | | | | od erythroderma. |
| as many as 30% of all cases of erythroderma, | | | | 3. A sedative antihistamine may be a useful for |
| no underlying cause can be found. This is called | | | | itchy patients. |
| idiopathic erythroderma. ED onset usually occurs in | | | | 4. Systemic Steroids may also be helpful in some |
| persons older than 40 years, except when the | | | | cases of erythroderma. |
| condition results from atopic dermatitis, seborrheic | | | | 5. Topical Steroids are the primary category of |
| dermatitis, staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, | | | | medications used to treat erythroderma. |
| or a hereditary ichthyosis. It is slightly more | | | | 6. Topical tar preparations and photo therapy |
| common in men than women. It can develop quite | | | | should also be avoided in the early treatment of |
| rapidly. Signs and symptoms of erythroderma | | | | erythroderma. |
| include varying degrees of itching , swollen lymph | | | | 7. Emollients are very effective for the treatment |
| nodes , electrolyte abnormalities and dehydration | | | | of erythroderma. |
| because of fluid loss through the skin and swollen | | | | 8. Low-dose of methotrexate , ciclosporin or |
| lymph nodes. | | | | acitretin may also be beneficial for the treatment |
| Longstanding erythroderma may result in | | | | of erythroderma. |