Exfoliative Dermatitis

Exfoliative dermatitis is referred to as extensive scaling of the skin, primarily with pruritus (itching), hair loss and erythroderma (skin redness). This eruption of the scaling of the skin is mostly drug induced, idiopathic or secondary to underlying systemic or coetaneous disease. It is often pervasive in many skin-related conditions or disorders, such as psoriasis and eczema. At times, exfoliative dermatitis is also caused owing to an allergy to drugs. The mitotic rate in the basal layer rises while the overall transit time reduces, and as such more cells are lost from the base. People suffering from exfoliative dermatitis or erythroderma generally require hospital treatment or rather an admission to an intensive care burn unit for optimal patient care.