Erythroderma
skin disease
Erythroderma is an inflammatory skin disease with redness and scaling that affects nearly the entire cutaneous surface. This term applies when 90% or more of the skin is affected.
In ICD-10, a distinction is made between "exfoliative dermatitis" at L26, and "erythroderma" at L53.9.
Causes
Erythroderma is generalized exfoliative dermatitis, which involves 90% or more of the patient's skin. The most common cause of erythroderma is exacerbation of an underlying skin disease, such as Harlequin-type ichthyosis, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, lichen planus, pityriasis rubra pilaris or a drug reaction, such as the use of topical steroids. Primary erythroderma is less frequent and is usually seen in cases of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, in particular in Sézary's disease. Pemphigus foliaceus may sometimes rapidly progress into a generalized form, resulting in exfoliative erythroderma. UV radiation may exacerbate the cutaneous manifestation. Patients often complain of burning and pain.
The most common causes of exfoliative dermatitis are best remembered by the mnemonic device ID-SCALP. The causes and their frequencies are as follows:
Idiopathic - 30%
Drug allergy - 28%
Seborrheic dermatitis - 2%
Contact dermatitis - 3%
Atopic dermatitis - 10%
Lymphoma and leukemia - 14%
Psoriasis - 8%
Treatment
The treatment for erythroderma depends on the primary cause.
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