Definition Exfoliative dermatitis is the term for large areas of skin that are covered by a rash. It can be life-threatening in its most severe form.
What is going on in the body? Exfoliative dermatitis is caused by an underlying condition. This underlying condition may be a skin disorder or it may be something totally unrelated to the skin.
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition? Exfoliative dermatitis sometimes begins quite explosively and suddenly. Or sometimes it develops slowly, after a person has had a skin disease that gradually gets worse over time. The entire surface of the skin becomes red, scaly, thickened, and sometimes crusted. A person with exfoliative dermatitis may:
What can be done to prevent the condition? A person who is taking a medication that could be causing the dermatitis may be advised by the doctor to stop taking that medication.
How is the condition diagnosed? The diagnosis of exfoliative dermatitis is made when the doctor examines the affected skin. It is important that this condition be diagnosed early, so that complications such as infection can be avoided. Early diagnosis can also keep the fluid and protein loss from becoming life-threatening.
What are the long-term effects of the condition? If it is not treated, exfoliative dermatitis can cause dehydration if a lot of water and protein is lost through the skin. A person may become more and more sickly. He or she may even have congestive heart failure, due to the large amount of blood that is pumped through all the blood vessels in the skin.
What are the risks to others? There are no risks to others, as exfoliative dermatitis is not contagious.
What are the treatments for the condition? Treatment for exfoliative dermatitis may include:
thorough and complete skin care, including cool compresses and creams, such as Vaseline or Eucerin, to help seal the skin and keep in water
antibiotics to treat infection
fluids given through an intravenous line to replace the lost fluid and electrolytes
corticosteroids given through an intravenous line, by mouth, or applied to the skin to decrease the swelling and redness
controlling body temperature, using heated blankets
What are the side effects of the treatments? Antibiotics may cause stomach upset, diarrhoea, and an allergic reaction. Corticosteroids that are given through the veins or by mouth can lead to osteoporosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other serious problems.
What happens after treatment for the condition? Treatment of exfoliative dermatitis is focused on clearing up the skin rash. The underlying cause of the skin disease also must be treated to prevent the rash from coming back.
How is the condition monitored? Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the doctor.
Author: Lynn West, MD Reviewer: HealthAnswers Australia Medical Review Panel Editor: Dr David Taylor, Chief Medical Officer HealthAnswers Australia Last Updated: 1/10/2001 Contributors Potential conflict of interest information for reviewers available on request
