Erythroderma

Question 1

What is erythroderma.

Answer 1

It means ‘red skin’.

It refers to the clinical state of inflammation or redness of all (or nearly all) of the skin.

Question 2

What is another name for erythroderma.

Answer 2

Exfoliative dermatitis, but dermatitis is not always present.

Question 3

What are some common causes of erythroderma. (5)

Answer 3

Atopic eczema. 
Psoriasis. 
Drugs (penicillin, allopurinol, gold). 
Seborrhoeic eczema. 
Idiopathic.

Question 4

What are some rare causes of erythroderma. (7)

Answer 4

Chronic actinic dermatitis. 
Cutaneous T cell lymphoma. 
Malignancy. 
Pemphigus foliaceus. 
Pityriasis rubra pilaris. 
HIV infection. 
Toxic shock syndrome.

Question 5

Who is erythroderma most common in. (2)

Answer 5

Males.

Later in life.

Question 6

What is long standing erythroderma often associated with. (3)

Answer 6

Hair loss.
Ectropion of the eyelids.
Nail shedding.

Question 7

What are the systemic features of erythroderma. (3)

Answer 7

Malaise.
Widespread lymphadenopathy.
Pyrexia.

Question 8

What is erythroderma considered to be.

Answer 8

A medical emergency, as it can lead to death.

Question 9

What are the complications of erythroderma. (6)

Answer 9

High output cardiac failure from increased blood flow. 
Hypothermia from heat loss. 
Fluid loss by transpiration. 
Hypoalbuminaemia. 
Increased basal matebolic rate. 
Capillary leak syndrome.

Question 10

What is capillary leak syndrome.

Answer 10

It is the most severe complications and has been responsible for a fatal outcome in some cases of psoriasis.
It is thought that the inflamed skin releases large quantities of cytokines that cause a generalized vascular leakage.
This can cause cutaneous oedema and acute lung injury.