What does exfoliative dermatitis look like?
Usually exfoliative dermatitis starts suddenly and spreads rapidly. Usually the skin surface appears red and then starts to scale or peel. With time, the skin becomes thick and may even crust. Itching in cases of exfoliative dermatitis can vary from severe itching to no itching although in most cases, there is some mild itching. In cases of exfoliative dermatitis where large areas of the body is affected, a bacterial or fungal infection of the skin is very likely to occur, especially when there is significant itching. Other signs and symptoms that accompany exfoliative dermatitis include enlarged lymph nodes (lymph glands) and the skin may feel hot to touch. The sufferer may also experience fevers and chills that may not be a result of an infection. Other symptoms such as weight loss which may occur is often due to causes of exfoliative dermatitis rather than due to the skin condition itself.
