Profile: Erythrodermic Psoriasis

Definition:   An exceptional but very severe inflammatory form of psoriasis, characterised by erythematous-squamous lesions (redness and skin scales) covering the entire body (more than 90% of the skin surface), and also accompanied by fever, pain, heart failure, possible oedema and chills. In this case, the skin no longer performs its role as a protective barrier, which can then lead to a risk of superinfection and dehydration. Erythrodermic psoriasis accounts for 1 to 2.25% of cases.

Internal and external causes:   Some medications (lithium, anti-malarials); infections; sudden cessation of an intensive treatment with oral or topical corticosteroids.

How to reduce or eliminate them:   Emergency hospitalisation involving the administration of intravenous fluids and regulation of body temperature; use of emollients and wet dressings; administration of immunosuppressants (methotrexate or cyclosporine); treatment with biotherapies using anti-TNF-α (efalizumab, infliximab, etanercept or alefacept); use of IL-12/23 inhibitors (ustekinumab).

Preventive measures:   /