erythroderma

A nonspecific designation for intense and usually widespread reddening of the skin from dilation of blood vessel s, often preceding, or associated with exfoliation. SYN: erythrodermatitis. [erythro- + G. derma, skin]

- bullous congenital ichthyosiform e. (ik-the-os′e-form) diffusely red, eroded skin at birth, with subsequent scaling, tending to improve in later life, characterized by generalized epidermolytic hyperkeratosis and autosomal dominant inheritance. SEE ALSO: epidermolytic hyperkeratosis. SYN: generalized epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, ichthyismus hystrix, ichthyosis hystrix.

- congenital ichthyosiform e. a genodermatosis characterized by diffuse chronic erythema and scale formation which may be separated into bullous and nonbullous forms.

- e. desquamativum severe, extensive seborrheic dermatitis with exfoliative dermatitis, generalized lymphadenopathy, and diarrhea in the newborn; frequently occurs in undernourished, cachectic children. SYN: Leiner disease.

- nonbullous congenital ichthyosiform e. e. or a collodion membrane at birth, usually without improvement during childhood, characterized by proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes with lipid accumulation; autosomal recessive inheritance.

- e. psoriaticum extensive exfoliative dermatitis simulating psoriasis.

- Sézary e. SYN: Sézary syndrome.

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eryth·ro·der·ma -'dər-mə n, pl -mas or -ma·ta -mət-ə ERYTHEMA

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n.

abnormal reddening, flaking, and thickening of the skin affecting a wide area of the body. Commoner after the age of 50, erythroderma affects men three times as often as women; it may result from pre-existing skin disease, such as eczema or psoriasis, or be caused by drugs or lymphoma.

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eryth·ro·der·ma (ə-rith″ro-durґmə) [erythro- + derma] 1. abnormal redness of the skin, usually meaning that it is over widespread areas of the body. 2. exfoliative dermatitis. Called also erythrodermia.