Introduction
Synonyms: Exfoliative dermatitis Exfoliative erythroderma Red man syndrome (becoming historical term)
Key features
Erythroderma is clinically defined as erythema and scaling involving
80% of the body surface area
Systemic manifestations include peripheral edema, tachycardia, loss of fluid and proteins, and disturbances in thermoregulation
Erythroderma has multiple etiologies; in adults, the most common causes are psoriasis, drug reactions, atopic dermatitis, and cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL)
Establishing the correct diagnosis requires consideration of initial sites of involvement, additional clinical findings, histopathologic and molecular features, and associated systemic abnormalities, as well as a complete medical history
Despite an intensive evaluation, the cause remains unknown
(idiopathic) in ~25% of patients; some of these patients eventually develop CTCL
Treatment strategies should address the dermatologic disease as well as the underlying etiology and the systemic complications of the erythroderma