Exfoliative dermatitis is a serious inflammation of the skin that causes flaking and redness to appear in large areas of the body, such as the chest, arms, feet or legs, for example, which can cause difficulty for the body to maintain temperature and retain moisture in the skin. , which can result in dehydration.
The most common cause of exfoliative dermatitis, which is also called erythroderma, is the exacerbation of other chronic skin problems, such as psoriasis or eczema, but it can also arise due to the use of antibiotics, anticonvulsants or barbiturates, or even cancer. such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, for example.
Exfoliative dermatitis is a medical emergency and treatment should be started as soon as possible with hospitalization for application of antibiotics and intravenous serum, use of medicines to control body temperature and moisturizers or topical corticosteroids, recommended by the dermatologist.
Exfoliative dermatitis symptoms
The main symptoms of exfoliative dermatitis are:
- Bright red spots on the skin, which can stick together and form plaques;
- Intense peeling of the skin;
- White or yellowish scales on the skin;
- Injuries with the formation of crusts on the skin;
- Feeling of tight skin, due to thickening and swelling of the skin;
- Pain or itching in the skin;
- Loss of skin surface;
- Fever above 38º C;
- Swelling of lymph nodes or tongues;
- Bad being generalized;
- Feeling of cold or chills due to heat loss through the skin;
- Loss of hair at the affected skin site;
- Dry, brittle nails that may fall off.
Exfoliative dermatitis is a serious disease that leaves the body vulnerable to infections, as the skin, which is the tissue that protects the body from aggressive agents, is compromised. Thus, microorganisms can easily cross it and reach the body’s innermost tissues, generating opportunistic infections.
Therefore, when exfoliative dermatitis is suspected, it is recommended to go to the emergency room to evaluate the problem and start appropriate treatment, avoiding the emergence of complications such as skin infections, generalized infection and even cardiac arrest.
Online symptom test
Exfoliative dermatitis is a type of dermatitis, like atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. To find out the chances of having dermatitis, please indicate the symptoms you present below:
This test only serves as a means of guidance and, therefore, is not intended to provide a diagnosis or replace consultation with a dermatologist or general practitioner.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of exfoliative dermatitis is made by a dermatologist or general practitioner, in the hospital, through the evaluation of symptoms, health history and medication use, in addition to a physical examination, evaluating the characteristics of the skin, which is generally sufficient to confirm the diagnosis.
However, the doctor may order blood tests such as a complete blood count, electrolyte and protein levels, and a direct immunofluorescence test to assess the presence of antibodies.
In addition, the doctor may also order a skin biopsy, to help identify the cause of exfoliative dermatitis, and rule out other diseases that may have similar symptoms, such as acanthosis nigricans, acute complications of sarcoidosis or bullous pemphigoid, for example. Find out how a skin biopsy is performed.
Possible causes
The exact cause of exfoliative dermatitis is not fully known, however, it is believed that some situations can lead to rapid renewal of skin cells, causing peeling and the appearance of other symptoms.
Some conditions may increase the risk of developing exfoliative dermatitis, such as:
- Congenital diseases, such as ichthyosis;
- Eczema;
- Psoriasis;
- Seborrheic dermatitis;
- Atopic dermatitis;
- Papillary rubra would be called;
- Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma;
- Cutaneous lupus;
- Bullous or foliaceous pemphigoid;
- Actinic keratose;
- Use of medicines, such as antibiotics, anticonvulsants or barbiturates.
Exfoliative dermatitis can affect 90% of the body’s skin, being considered a medical emergency and must be evaluated by a dermatologist or general practitioner at the hospital, to identify its cause and begin treatment quickly to avoid serious complications that can put life in danger. risk.
How the treatment is carried out
The treatment of exfoliative dermatitis should be carried out by a dermatologist or general practitioner, as quickly as possible in the hospital with an inpatient stay, and, therefore, it is important to go to the emergency room as soon as the first symptoms appear.
Therefore, the doctor should recommend treatment with:
- Application of serum and electrolytes directly into the veinto avoid dehydration;
- Intravenous antibioticsto combat infections that may be developing in areas of skin peeling;
- Corticosteroid ointmentssuch as betamethasone or dexamethasone, to relieve inflammation and itching;
- Emollient creamsto hydrate the skin and reduce skin peeling;
- Oral antihistaminesto help reduce itchy skin;
- Avoid taking very hot bathsgiving preference to baths with a cold water shower;
- Eat a protein-rich dietsuch as chicken meat, eggs or fish, for example, as dermatitis causes loss of proteins;
- Use of thermal covers, to keep the body warm.
Furthermore, to treat wounds, in addition to topical corticosteroids and moisturizing creams, the doctor may recommend warm baths and moist dressings.
In cases where it is possible to identify the specific cause of exfoliative dermatitis, the doctor may also recommend another, more appropriate treatment. Therefore, if the problem is being caused by the use of a medication, that medication must be stopped and replaced with another, for example.
Signs of improvement in exfoliative dermatitis appear approximately 2 days after starting treatment and include relief from itching, a decrease in body temperature and a reduction in skin peeling.
Possible complications
Exfoliative dermatitis can cause some complications that arise when treatment is not carried out properly in the hospital and include skin wounds, increased body temperature, difficulty moving affected limbs or burning skin, for example, especially caused by infection of the skin. layers of skin.
Furthermore, when left untreated, exfoliative dermatitis can cause severe dehydration, imbalance of electrolytes in the blood, protein deficiency, heart failure, pneumonia, generalized infection and even cardiac arrest.
