Dermatology

Dermatitis

Generalized Exfoliative Dermatitis

What is generalized exfoliative dermatitis?

Generalized exfoliative dermatitis is a severe inflammation of the entire skin surface due to a reaction to certain drugs, or as a result of complications from another skin condition. In some cases, lymph node cancer (lymphoma) can cause generalized exfoliative dermatitis. Often, however, no cause can be found.

What are the symptoms of generalized exfoliative dermatitis?

The following are the most common symptoms of generalized exfoliative dermatitis. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently:

extreme redness of the skin
scaling
thickened skin
itching
swollen lymph nodes
fever
loss of fluids and proteins through the damaged skin

The symptoms of generalized exfoliative dermatitis may resemble other dermatologic conditions. Consult a physician for diagnosis.

How is generalized exfoliative dermatitis diagnosed?

Diagnosis includes careful elimination of known causes, such as certain drugs (i.e., penicillin and barbiturates). In addition, your physician may check for other skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, as well as for lymphoma, which may be the cause of the generalized exfoliative dermatitis condition.

Treatment for generalized exfoliative dermatitis:

Severe cases of generalized exfoliative dermatitis may require hospitalization while the person is being treated with antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and nutritional supplements.

If certain drugs are causing the condition, eliminating them usually clears up generalized exfoliative dermatitis condition.

If another skin condition or lymphoma causes generalized exfoliative dermatitis, treating that condition usually clears up generalized exfoliative dermatitis condition.

Other treatments may include:

heated blankets to keep the patient warm
cool baths
petroleum jelly applied to skin, followed by gauze
corticosteroids

This page was last updated on: January 31, 2008.

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