Erythroderma Flashcards
What is erythroderma?
An exfoliating dermatitis involving at least 90% of the skin surface
What can cause erythroderma?
Previous skin disease - atopic dermatitis, psoriasis
Drugs - penicillin, allopurinol, gold, sulphonamides, sulphonylureas
Lymphoma, leukaemia
Idiopathic
How does the skin appear in erythroderma?
Widespread erythema and oedema
Patches of scaling and exfoliation
What can trigger the progression of psoriasis to erythrodermic psoriasis?
The withdrawal of systemic steroids
What complications can occur?
Dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities
High output heart failure
Secondary skin infection e.g impetigo, cellulitis
Hypothermia
How will the mucous membranes appear?
Dry
What is an emergency in the management or erythroderma?
New onset increased SOB
What is exfoliation?
Skin peeling off in scales or layers
What symptoms are associated?
Warm skin
Itchy skin
Lymphadenopathy
Nails thickened, may develop onycholysis
The pathogenesis is complicated, but ultimately there is a…
Increase in turnover of skin cells
How is it managed?
Discontinuation of all unnecessary medications
Monitor fluid balance and temperature
Maintain skin moisture - wet wraps, emollients, topical steroids
Antibiotics if bacterial infection
Antihistamines for the itch
If cause identified, start specific treatments e.g methotrexate for psoriasis
What is high output heart failure?
Occurs when a normally functioning heart cannot keep up with an unusually high demand for blood to one or more organs of the body
I.e there is increased peripheral demand
There is circulatory overload - may lead to pulmonary oedema due to elevated diastolic pressure in LV
