Erythroderma is a severe and possibly life-threatening inflammation of most of the body's skin surface. It's also called generalized exfoliative dermatitis. It may be caused by a reaction to a medicine. Or it may be caused by another skin condition or cancer.

It causes redness and scaling of the skin. This starts in patches and spreads over the body. The skin begins to peel (slough) off. This leads to problems with your ability to manage body temperature. It can also cause protein and fluid loss. And it can cause an increased metabolic rate. Erythroderma can be life-threatening. You may need to spend time in the hospital or burn center for treatment.

It can be caused by:

• A complication of atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, pityriasis rubra pilaris, or another skin condition.
• A reaction to medicines, such as penicillin, barbiturates, or sulfonamide.
• Certain types of cancer, such as lymphoma.

In about 1 in 4 people, the cause is not known.

You are more at risk if you:

• Already have a skin condition.
• Are taking penicillin, barbiturates, or sulfonamide.
• Have cancer.

Erythroderma causes very red skin all over the body. Other symptoms may include:

• Scaly skin patches.
• Crusty sores (lesions).
• Itching.

The red, peeling skin patches may appear and spread over hours, days, or weeks.

Other symptoms can include:

• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Fever.
• Feeling generally ill (malaise).

The symptoms of erythroderma can seem like other health conditions. Make sure to see your doctor for a diagnosis.

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. They will give you a physical exam, which will include checking your skin. This is because the diagnosis is based on how your skin looks. But it's also important to find the cause of the erythroderma. Your doctor will see if that might be certain medicines, other skin conditions, or certain types of cancer.

You may also have a skin biopsy. Small pieces of skin are taken from your body and sent to a lab. A pathologist looks at them with a microscope.

Treatment will depend on the cause, your symptoms, your age, and your general health. It will also depend on how bad the condition is.

If your symptoms are severe, you may need to spend time in the hospital. You may be treated with:

• Antibiotics.
• I.V. (intravenous) fluids to balance your electrolytes.
• Nutritional supplements.

You may need to:

• Stop any medicines that may be causing the condition.
• Treat another skin condition that may be causing it.
• Treat the cancer that may be causing it.

Other treatments may include:

• Heated blankets to keep you warm.
• Cool baths.
• Petroleum jelly applied to skin, then covered by gauze.
• Systemic corticosteroids, in severe cases.
• Adding fluids back into the body (rehydration).
• Extensive wound care, to prevent infection.

If your symptoms are caused by a medicine reaction, they should go away 2 to 6 weeks after the medicine is stopped.

Talk with your doctors about the risks, benefits, and possible side effects of all treatments.

Possible complications include:

• Secondary infection from a virus or bacteria.
• Loss of fluids and proteins through the damaged skin. This can lead to dehydration and nutrition problems.

Researchers don't know how to prevent erythroderma.

Erythroderma is a very severe and life-threatening condition. You should call your doctor if you think you have it.

If you've been diagnosed with erythroderma and sent home with treatment, call your doctor if:

• Your symptoms don't get better, or get worse.
• You have new symptoms

• Erythroderma is a severe inflammation of most of the body's skin surface.
• It causes redness and scaling of the skin. This starts in patches and spreads over the body.
• It can be life-threatening.
• It may be caused by a reaction to a medicine. Or it may be caused by another skin condition or cancer.
• You may have a skin biopsy. Small pieces of skin are taken from your body and sent to a lab.
• If your symptoms are severe, you may need to spend time in the hospital. You may be treated with antibiotics, I.V. fluids, nutritional supplements, and medicines for your skin.

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your doctor:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your doctor tells you.
• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new directions your doctor gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your doctor if you have questions, especially after office hours or on weekends.