According to NIAMS, psoriasis is a skin disease characterized by red, scaly skin that can be painful or hot to the touch. Having psoriasis is certainly not a pleasant experience, but despite this, the condition is relatively common. There are five different types of skin disease known as psoriasis. These include plaque psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, and erythrodermic psoriasis, the latter thought to be the most severe form and only.
Psoriasis is a type of autoimmune disease. This means that it causes a reaction in your immune system. Psoriasis is not contagious because it is not caused by anything that can come into contact with your skin. After then, an immunological reaction causes swelling, which causes a rapid turnover of cells. Psoriasis is characterized by red, scaling patches that appear on the scalp, elbows, and knees. In most cases, these areas are only affected by the condition's characteristic symptoms. But with erythrodermic psoriasis, the inflammatory reaction is far more severe, appearing in extremely broad portions of the body, becoming red, scaly, and flaking.
According to Suzanne Friedler, people with erythrodermic psoriasis often have skin that peels in big sheets. This results in various systemic disorders, such as dehydration, temperature imbalances, and electrolyte disruptions.
Another significant problem? Because their skin tends to flake, those with erythrodermic psoriasis often have trouble keeping their internal temperature stable. According to New York City dermatologist and dermatopathologist Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, patients with the condition have alternating bouts of fever and chills. Ohara Aivaz, a dermatologist in Beverly Hills, California, adds that "life-threatening consequences might arise in very unusual instances." Infections of the skin and blood, in addition to renal failure, are included in this category.
What Causes Erythrodermic Psoriasis?
To begin with, the most important: Only those with psoriasis, in general, will be susceptible to developing erythrodermic psoriasis. According to NPF, people with unstable plaque psoriasis are more likely to be affected by this severe psoriasis subtype. However, experts aren't completely sure what causes severe psoriasis subtype.
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), erythrodermic psoriasis may be brought on by various factors, including the sudden discontinuation of systemic medication (such as corticosteroids), extreme sunburn, infection, mental stress, or even alcoholism. According to Dr. Tonkovic-Capin, "In addition, it's crucial to emphasize that individuals with HIV have a larger likelihood of their psoriasis evolving into the erythrodermic type of the disease."
How Is The Therapy For Erythrodermic Psoriasis Carried Out?
You should begin therapy with topical steroids to help decrease inflammation. In addition, you should use moisturizers, wet dressings, and bed rest to relieve the itching and suffering associated with the condition. If it doesn't work and your psoriasis can't be managed at home, you may need to be treated in a hospital environment, where IV fluids may easily address fluid depletion. In addition, the therapy for this kind of psoriasis involves using topical steroids and systemic immunosuppressive drugs and continuous monitoring of the patient's cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
According to Viseslav Tonkovic-Capin, We normally start the patient on hot moist wraps with a topical steroid, infusing of electrolytes if required, and such psoriasis treatments as oral cyclosporine or infusions of infliximab."
Patients are also evaluated frequently for a wide range of other issues that may develop due to the condition. For instance, in the case of these patients, Dr. Tonkovic-Capin explains that her practice routinely does blood and skin cultures to screen for the presence of infections. "Starting antibiotic treatment as soon as possible is of the utmost importance since infections are the leading cause of mortality among those who have erythrodermic psoriasis"
In the end, due to the severity of erythrodermic psoriasis, patients must maintain a constant line of communication with their dermatologist to receive all the assistance they require to manage their care and navigate their treatment options effectively.
Complications of Erythrodermic Psoriasis
Erythrodermic psoriasis may cause substantial skin irritation and discomfort in the skin. The rash impairs your body's capacity to sweat, preventing it from properly regulating its temperature. You run the risk of developing hypothermia (low body temperature). It can alter electrolyte levels and cause dehydration. You may have a fever, chills, and edema (also known as fluid retention) in your feet and ankles. Infection is a possibility on occasion, although it is not very prevalent.
