Unveiling The Facts About Exfoliative Dermatitis

Exfoliative dermatitis is another form of dermatitis eczema that occurs due to reactions to drugs. However, it can also manifest as a complication from a previous skin condition especially atopic dermatitis. The exfoliative dermatitis exhibits severe inflammation of the entire skin. People suffering from such condition would develop extreme redness of the skin and scaling on other parts. A relative thickness of the skin can also be found. The condition can cause fever and sudden loss of fluids and proteins through the damaged skin. In patients suffering from lymphoma (lymph node cancer), exfoliative dermatitis develops due to the swelling of the lymph nodes.

During the onset of the disease, most of the skin's surface would be covered with lesions. These lesions may sometimes form crusts on the skin surface and secrete fluids. These oozing lesions are the major cause of dehydration to exfoliative dermatitis patients. The disease can cause life-threatening complications if the toxicity level of the patient is high, which causes the disease to affect other organs other than the skin.

It is necessary to consult a physician to acquire the correct diagnosis for the disease since the general signs and symptoms of exfoliative dermatitis may resemble other dermatologic conditions. The diagnosis for exfoliative dermatitis starts with the careful elimination of the known or suspected causes. If the person suffering from the disease is taking any drugs, i.e. penicillin and barbiturates, the physician would suggest the elimination of these factors. Additionally, since the disease can sometimes be caused by a pre-existing condition, the person suffering from the exfoliative dermatitis would undergo several tests for lymphoma and atopic dermatitis. The fact that exfoliative dermatitis can be caused by lymphoma is a warning for those who do not realize that they are suffering from the disease. The majority of the tests to determine if lymphoma contributes to the disease involve several blood tests.

Common Treatment for Exfoliative Dermatitis

In some cases, exfoliative dermatitis spontaneously resolves. However, hospitalization is required to those suffering from severe cases. The severity of the disease to some patients may require them to undergo intravenous fluid treatment, antibiotics, and additional nutritional supplements to stabilize them. Immediate action during the onset of the condition must be taken in order to prevent complications that can be life-threatening from developing. The treatment of the pre-determined skin condition, as well as lymphoma usually clears up exfoliative dermatitis. Patients taking certain drugs before the beginning of the disease are also advised to stop taking such medications in order to fully determine the cause of the condition.

Other alternative treatments for the condition involve applying heated blankets to keep patients warm and providing cool baths. Petroleum jelly can also be applied to the skin, which is usually followed by a gauze wrap. Taking corticosteroids can also provide treatment for the disease.