Erythroderma

What is Erythroderma

Erythroderma is the term used when the majority of the skin surface is erythematous (red in color). There may be associated scale, erosions, or pustules as well as shedding of the hair and nails. Potential systemic manifestations include fever, chills, hypothermia, reactive lymphadenopathy, peripheral edema, hypoalbuminemia, and high-output cardiac failure.

The major etiologies of erythroderma are

cutaneous diseases such as psoriasis and dermatitis
drugs;
systemic diseases, most commonly CTCL; and
idiopathic.

In the first three groups, the location and description of the initial lesions, prior to the development of the erythroderma, aid in the diagnosis.

Causes of Erythroderma

Primary cutaneous disorders

a. Psoriasis
b. Dermatitis (atopic, stasis, contact, seborrheic)
c. Pityriasis rubra pilaris
2. Drugs
3. Systemic diseases
a. Cutaneous T cell lymphoma
b. Lymphoma
4. Idiopathic