Definition

Noun A condition of the skin characterized by widespread or generalized abnormal redness and inflammation.

Usage

"Erythroderma" is a medical term used specifically in dermatology to describe a severe inflammatory skin state. It refers to the clinical presentation, not a single disease itself, and is often a symptom or reaction pattern of an underlying condition.

Examples

• The patient was admitted to the hospital with erythroderma covering over 90% of his body surface.
• Erythroderma can be a severe adverse reaction to certain medications.
• The dermatologist diagnosed the condition as psoriatic erythroderma.

Advanced Usage

• Exfoliative erythroderma: A specific and severe form where the widespread redness is accompanied by significant scaling and peeling (exfoliation) of the skin.
  • The biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of exfoliative erythroderma.

Variants and Related Words

• Erythrodermic (adjective): Describing the form or quality of erythroderma.
  • He presented with the erythrodermic form of psoriasis.

Synonyms

• Exfoliative dermatitis (in many, but not all, contexts)
• Red man syndrome (a specific type often related to drug reactions)

Different Meanings / Contexts

This term has a single, specific meaning within medical and dermatological contexts. It does not have common idiomatic or figurative uses.

Noun

1. any skin disorder involving abnormal redness