A rare inflammation of the skin which causes generalised itching. The skin is red, thickened and scaly. It is also called generalised exfoliative dermatitis (see SKIN, DISEASES OF). It may complicate chronic eczema (see DERMATITIS) or PSORIASIS, particularly in men, in the second half of life. It may also result from HYPERSENSITIVITY to a drug, such as gold injections used in RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. Rarely, it may be a manifestation of T-cell LYMPHOMA.

Universal inflammation of the skin may cause heart failure, particularly in elderly people with pre-existing heart disease. It may lead to HYPOTHERMIA due to excessive heat loss from the skin and protein deficiency caused by the shedding of large quantities of skin scales containing keratin. Rarely, these complications can be fatal.