Exfoliative Dermatitis is a severe inflammation, that affects the whole skin surface and leads to scaling and extreme redness. Exfoliative Dermatitis may be caused by specific drugs, such as barbiturates, penicillin, phenytoin, isoniazid, and sulfonamides. Sometimes, it may be caused by contact dermatitis, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis.

Exfoliative dermatitis also may be resulted from specific lymphomas. In many cases, the cause may not be discovered. Such a condition can begin slowly or rapidly. The entire surface of the skin becomes thickened, scaly, red, and , in some cases, crusted. Some individuals have swollen lymph nodes and develop itching.

Although, many individuals have a fever, they can feel cold because too much heat is being lost through the affected skin. Large protein and fluid amounts can seep out, and the affected skin is a poor part against infections. Early treatment and diagnosis are very important to prevent protein and fluid loss and infections from becoming fatal.

Any chemical and drug that might cause the exfoliative dermatitis, must be eliminated. If such dermatitis is caused by lymphoma, treating lymphoma helps clear up exfoliative dermatitis.  People with severe dermatitis frequently require to be hospitalized and are given nutritional supplements, intravenous fluids (to replace lost fluids) and antibiotics (for infections).  Care can include heated blankets and medications to keep body temperature under control. Gauze and cool bath followed by petroleum jelly applications, can help protect a patient’s skin. A corticosteroid, such as prednisone, may be given intravenously or orally when the disease becomes worse and other treatment method is not successful.

This entry was filed under Diseases and Conditions.

Tags: antibiotics, atopic dermatitis, exfoliative dermatitis, inflammation, intravenous fluids, prednisone