Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Erythroderma) that could possibly cause Erythroderma includes:
The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Erythroderma that are listed by the Diseases Database:
Source: Diseases DatabaseConditions listing Erythroderma as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Erythroderma. Our database lists the following as having Erythroderma as a symptom of that condition:
As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Erythroderma may be found in:
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Erythroderma.
Wilson’s disease is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait only when both parents carry the abnormal gene. There is a 25% chance that carrier parents will transmit Wilson’s disease (and a 50% chance that they will transmit the carrier state) to each of their offspring. The disease usually occurs among eastern Europeans, Sicilians, and other southern Italians.
Wilson’s disease causes excessive intestinal absorption of copper and subsequent decreased excretion of copper in the stool. Copper accumulates first in the liver. As liver cells die, they release copper into the bloodstream, which carries it to other tissues. For example, in the kidneys, excretion of excessive amounts of unbound copper in urine (hypercupriuria) results from ceruloplasmin deficiency, a serum enzyme normally bound to copper. The deposit of copper in the tissue decreases serum copper (hypocupremia).
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Foods, drugs, chemicals, and other allergens can cause an allergic reaction and erythema. A localized allergic reaction also produces hivelike eruptions and edema.
Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction, produces relatively sudden erythema in the form of urticaria. It also produces flushing; facial edema; diaphoresis; weakness; sneezing; bronchospasm with dyspnea and tachypnea; shock with hypotension and cool, clammy skin; and possibly airway edema with hoarseness and stridor.
In thermal burns, erythema and swelling appear first, possibly followed by deep or superficial blisters and other signs of damage that vary with the severity of the burn. Burns from ultraviolet rays, such as sunburn, cause delayed erythema and tenderness on exposed areas of the skin.
When this fungal infection affects the skin, it produces erythema and a scaly, papular rash under the breasts and at the axillae, neck, umbilicus, and groin (intertrigo). Small pustules commonly occur at the periphery of the rash (satellite pustulosis).
This bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue causes erythema, tenderness, and edema.
Erythema commonly occurs in this family of inflammatory disorders. In atopic dermatitis, erythema and intense pruritus precede the development of small papules that may redden, weep, scale, and lichenify. These occur most commonly at skin folds of the extremities, neck, and eyelids.
Contact dermatitis occurs after exposure to an irritant. It quickly produces erythema and vesicles, blisters, or ulcerations on exposed skin.
In seborrheic dermatitis, erythema appears with dull red or yellow lesions. Sharply marginated, these lesions are sometimes ring shaped and covered with greasy scales. They usually occur on the scalp, eyebrows, ears, and nasolabial folds, but they may form a butterfly rash on the face or move to the chest or to skin folds on the trunk. This disorder is common in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus and in infants (cradle cap).
This disorder, most common in women older than age 50, produces a dusky lilac rash on the face, neck, upper torso, and nail beds. Gottron’s papules (violet, flat-topped lesions) may appear on finger joints.
This skin infection caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci is characterized by an abrupt onset of reddish, well-demarcated, tender, warm, sometimes elevated lesions, mainly on the face and neck but sometimes also on the extremities. Flaccid, pus-filled bullae may develop after 2 to 3 days. Extension into deeper tissues is rare. Other signs and symptoms include fever, chills, cervical lymphadenopathy, vomiting, headache, sore throat, warmth and tenderness in the affected area and, possibly, alopecia.
Small, pink infiltrated papules appear on the trunk, buttocks, and inner thighs, slowly spreading at the margins and clearing in the center. Itching, scaling, and tissue hardening may occur.
Associated with rheumatic fever, this disorder causes erythematous lesions that are superficial, flat, and slightly hardened. They shift, spread rapidly, and may last for hours or days, recurring after a time.
This acute inflammatory skin disease develops as a result of drug sensitivity after an infection (most commonly herpes simplex or a mycoplasmal infection), allergies, or pregnancy. One-half of the cases are of idiopathic origin.
Erythema multiforme minor produces reddish pink iris-shaped, urticarial, localized lesions with little or no mucous membrane involvement. Most lesions occur on flexor surfaces of the extremities. Burning or itching may occur before or in conjunction with lesion development. Lesions appear in crops and last 2 to 3 weeks. After 1 week, they become flat or hyperpigmented. Early signs and symptoms may include a mild fever, cough, and sore throat.
Erythema multiforme major usually occurs as a drug reaction; causes widespread symmetrical, bullous lesions that may become confluent; and includes erosions of the mucous membranes. Erythema is characteristically preceded by blisters on the lips, tongue, and buccal mucosa and a sore throat. Additional early signs and symptoms include cough, vomiting, diarrhea, coryza, and epistaxis. Later signs and symptoms include fever, prostration, difficulty with oral intake because of mouth and lip lesions, conjunctivitis due to ulceration, vulvitis, and balanitis. The most severe form of this disorder is known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a multisystem disorder that can occasionally be fatal. In addition to all signs and symptoms mentioned above, patients develop exfoliation of the skin from disruptions of bullae, although less than 10% of the body surface area is affected. These areas resemble second-degree thermal burns and should be cared for as such. Fever may rise to 102 ° F to 104° F (38.9° C to 40° C). The patient may also experience tachypnea; a weak, rapid pulse; chest pain; malaise; and muscle or joint pain.
Sudden bilateral eruption of tender erythematous nodules characterizes this disorder. These firm, round, protruding lesions usually appear in crops on the shins, knees, and ankles but may occur on the buttocks, arms, calves, and trunk as well. Other effects include mild fever, chills, malaise, muscle and joint pain and, possibly, swollen feet and ankles. Erythema nodosum is associated with various diseases, most notably inflammatory bowel disease, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, and streptococcal and fungal infections.
First-degree frostbite turns the affected body part a lifeless gray color, followed by an intense bluish red flush on rewarming. Blisters, lack of feeling, and tissue necrosis may follow.
This disease, which generally affects men ages 40 to 60, is characterized by tight and erythematous skin over an inflamed, edematous joint.
In this superficial fungal infection, skin friction usually causes symmetrical erythema that may be accompanied by soreness and itching. Typically, erythema occurs in skin folds, such as in the groin; in severe cases, the skin may become bright red with erosion and maceration.
This acute illness of unknown cause, which primarily affects children younger than age 5, commonly produces a rash or erythema. No test is available for Kawasaki syndrome, which can cause serious heart damage and death if not detected and treated immediately. Additional characteristic signs include fever, conjunctival injection, and lymphadenopathy. Patients are treated with I.V. gamma globulin.
Any chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis, can cause local vasodilation and palmar erythema along with jaundice, pruritus, spider angiomas, xanthomas, and characteristic systemic signs.
Both discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can produce a characteristic butterfly rash. This erythematous eruption may range from a blush with swelling to a scaly, sharply demarcated, macular rash with plaques that may spread to the forehead, chin, ears, chest, and other sun-exposed parts of the body.
In discoid lupus erythematosus, other signs and symptoms may include telangiectasia, hyperpigmentation, ear and nose deformity, and mouth, tongue, and eyelid lesions.
In SLE, acute onset of erythema may be accompanied by photosensitivity and mucous membrane ulcers, especially in the nose and mouth. Mottled erythema may occur on the hands, with edema around the nails and macular reddish purple lesions on the fingers. Telangiectasia occurs at the base of the nails or eyelids along with purpura, petechiae, ecchymoses, and urticaria. Other findings vary according to the body systems affected but typically include low-grade fever, malaise, weakness, headache, arthralgia, arthritis, depression, lymphadenopathy, fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.
This streptococcal infection usually begins with an area of mild erythema at the site of insult, which soon changes from red to purple and then blue. The appearance of fluid-filled blisters and bullae indicates the rapid progression of the necrotizing process. By days 7 to 10, dead skin begins to separate at the margins of the erythema, revealing extensive necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue. Other findings include fever, hypovolemia and, in later stages, hypotension and respiratory insufficiency—signs of overwhelming sepsis that require supportive care.
This condition produces erythema, vesicles, plaques, and multiple small papules on sun-exposed areas, which may later eczematize, lichenify, and excoriate. Pruritus may also occur.
Silvery white scales over a thickened erythematous base usually affect the elbows, knees, chest, scalp, and intergluteal folds. The fingernails may become thick and pitted.
In this disorder, the skin on the hands and feet typically blanches and cools after exposure to cold and stress and later becomes warm and purplish red.
In a flare-up of this disorder, erythema occurs over the affected joints along with heat, swelling, pain, and stiffness. Earlier symptoms include malaise, fatigue, myalgia, prolonged morning stiffness, and clumsiness. As the disease progresses, muscle atrophy, palmar erythema, generalized edema, mottled skin, and structural deformities occur.
Scattered erythema initially develops across the center of the face, followed by superficial telangiectases, papules, pustules, and nodules. Rhinophyma may occur on the lower half of the nose.
Typically, flat solitary lesions join to form a blotchy pink erythematous rash that spreads rapidly to the trunk and extremities in this disorder. Occasionally, small red lesions (Forschheimer spots) occur on the soft palate. Lesions clear in 4 to 5 days. The rash usually follows a fever (up to 102° F [38.9° C]), headache, malaise, sore throat, a gritty eye sensation, lymphadenopathy, pain in the joints, and coryza.
This endotoxin-mediated epidermolytic disease is caused by a clinically unapparent Staphylococcus aureus infection and primarily affects infants (Ritter’s disease) and small children. It’s characterized by erythema and widespread exfoliation of superficial epidermal layers, resembling scalded skin. Associated signs and symptoms include low-grade fever and irritability. Care must be taken to maintain hydration and prevent secondary infections of denuded areas; hospitalization is commonly required. Death may occur, especially in infants with extensive disease.
Although this disorder is sometimes asymptomatic, it can produce erythema over the inflamed vein. Fever, chills, and malaise may accompany severe localized pain, warmth, and induration; distal edema; and a positive Homans’sign.
This infectious disorder, which is caused by a toxin-producing S. aureus infection, causes sudden, diffuse erythema in the form of a macular rash. It’s accompanied by a sudden high fever, myalgia, vomiting, severe diarrhea, and sudden hypotension that may lead to shock. Desquamation occurs after 1 to 2 weeks, especially on the palms and soles. This syndrome usually affects young women and has been associated with the use of tampons during menses.
Many drugs commonly cause erythema. (Drugs associated with erythema.)
Radiation therapy may produce dull erythema and edema within 24 hours. As the erythema fades, the skin becomes light brown and mildly scaly. Any treatment that causes an allergic reaction can also cause erythema.
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Allergic reaction.Foods, drugs, chemicals, and other allergens can cause an allergic reaction and erythema. A localized allergic reaction also produces hivelike eruptions and edema.
Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition, produces relatively sudden erythema in the form of urticaria. It also produces flushing; facial edema; diaphoresis; weakness; sneezing; bronchospasm with dyspnea and tachypnea; shock with hypotension and cool, clammy skin; and, possibly, airway edema with hoarseness and stridor.
Burns.With thermal burns, erythema and swelling appear first, possibly followed by deep or superficial blisters and other signs of damage that vary with the burn's severity. Burns from ultraviolet rays, such as sunburn, cause delayed erythema and tenderness on exposed areas of the skin.
Candidiasis.When candidiasis—a fungal infection—affects the skin, it produces erythema and a scaly, papular rash under the breasts and at the axillae, neck, umbilicus, and groin, also known as intertrigo. Small pustules commonly occur at the periphery of the rash (satellite pustulosis).
Cellulitis.Erythema, tenderness, and edema are a result of a bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.
Dermatitis.Erythema commonly occurs in this family of inflammatory disorders. With atopic dermatitis, erythema and intense pruritus precede the development of small papules that may redden, weep, scale, and lichenify. These occur most commonly at skin folds of the extremities, neck, and eyelids.
Contact dermatitis occurs after exposure to an irritant. It quickly produces erythema and vesicles, blisters, or ulcerations on exposed skin.
With seborrheic dermatitis, erythema appears with dull red or yellow lesions. Sharply marginated, these lesions are sometimes ring shaped and covered with greasy scales. They usually occur on the scalp, eyebrows, ears, and nasolabial folds, but they may form a butterfly rash on the face or move to the chest or to skin folds on the trunk. This disorder is common in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus and in infants (cradle cap).
Dermatomyositis.Dermatomyositis produces a dusky lilac rash on the face, neck, upper torso, and nail beds. Gottron's papules (violet, flat-topped lesions) may appear on finger joints.
Erythema annulare centrifugum.Small, pink infiltrated papules appear on the trunk, buttocks, and inner thighs, slowly spreading at the margins and clearing in the center. Itching, scaling, and tissue hardening may occur.
Erythema marginatum rheumaticum.Associated with rheumatic fever, erythema marginatum rheumaticum causes erythematous lesions that are superficial, flat, and slightly hardened. They shift, spread rapidly, and may last for hours or days, recurring after a time.
Erythema multiforme.
Erythema multiforme major usually occurs as a drug reaction; has widespread symmetrical, bullous lesions that may become confluent; and includes erosions of the mucous membranes. Erythema is characteristically preceded by blisters on the lips, tongue, and buccal mucosa and a sore throat. Additional signs and symptoms that manifest early in the course of the disease include a cough, vomiting, diarrhea, coryza, and epistaxis. Later signs and symptoms include a fever, prostration, difficulty with oral intake due to mouth and lip lesions, conjunctivitis due to ulceration, vulvitis, and balanitis. The maximal variant of this disease is considered by many to be Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a multisystem disorder that can occasionally be fatal. In addition to all signs and symptoms mentioned above, the patient develops exfoliation of the skin from disruptions of bullae, although less than 10% of the body surface area is affected. These areas resemble second-degree thermal burns and should be cared for as such. Fever may rise to 102° F to 104° F (38.9° C to 40° C). The patient may also experience tachypnea; a weak, rapid pulse; chest pain; malaise; and muscle or joint pain.
Erythema nodosum.Sudden bilateral eruption of tender erythematous nodules characterizes erythema nodosum. These firm, round, protruding lesions usually appear in crops on the shins, knees, and ankles, but may occur on the buttocks, arms, calves, and trunk as well. Other effects include a mild fever, chills, malaise, muscle and joint pain and, possibly, swollen feet and ankles. Erythema nodosum is associated with various diseases, most notably inflammatory bowel disease, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, and streptococcal and fungal infections.
Gout.Gout is characterized by tight and erythematous skin over an inflamed, edematous joint.
Kawasaki syndrome.This acute illness of unknown cause commonly produces a rash or erythema. No test is available for Kawasaki syndrome, which can cause serious heart damage and death if not detected and treated immediately. Additional characteristic signs include fever, conjunctival injection, and lymphadenopathy.
Lupus erythematosus.Discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can produce a characteristic butterfly rash. This erythematous eruption may range from a blush with swelling to a scaly, sharply demarcated, macular rash with plaques that may spread to the forehead, chin, ears, chest, and other sun-exposed parts of the body.
With discoid lupus erythematosus,telangiectasia, hyperpigmentation, ear and nose deformity, and mouth, tongue, and eyelid lesions may occur.
With SLE, an acute onset of erythema may also be accompanied by photosensitivity and mucous membrane ulcers, especially in the nose and mouth. Mottled erythema may occur on the hands, with edema around the nails and macular reddish purple lesions on the fingers. Telangiectasia occurs at the base of the nails or eyelids, along with purpura, petechiae, ecchymoses, and urticaria. Joint pain and stiffness are common. Other findings vary according to the body systems affected, but typically include a low-grade fever, malaise, weakness, a headache, arthralgia, arthritis, depression, lymphadenopathy, fatigue, weight loss, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.
Psoriasis.Silvery white scales over a thickened erythematous base usually affect the elbows, knees, chest, scalp, and intergluteal folds. The fingernails may become thick and pitted.
Raynaud's disease.Typically, the skin on the hands and feet blanches and cools after exposure to cold and stress. Later, it becomes warm and purplish red.
Rosacea.Scattered erythema initially develops across the center of the face, followed by superficial telangiectases, papules, pustules, and nodules. Rhinophyma may occur on the lower half of the nose.
Rubella.Typically, flat solitary lesions join to form a blotchy pink erythematous rash that spreads rapidly to the trunk and extremities in this disorder. Occasionally, small red lesions (Forschheimer spots) occur on the soft palate. Lesions clear in 4 or 5 days. The rash usually follows a fever (up to 102° F [38.9° C]), a headache, malaise, a sore throat, a gritty eye sensation, lymphadenopathy, pain in the joints, and coryza.
Drugs.Many drugs commonly cause erythema. (See Drugs associated with erythema, page 242.)
Radiation and other treatments.Radiation therapy may produce dull erythema and edema within 24 hours. As the erythema fades, the skin becomes light brown and mildly scaly. Any treatment that causes an allergic reaction can also cause erythema.
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
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