ERYTHRODERMA PSORIATICUM

Abstract

The term erythroderma psoriaticum is used to designate the generalization of psoriasis vulgaris to a point at which the usual clinical characteristics have disappeared and have been replaced by those of exfoliative dermatitis. Although this phenomenon is not understood in its entirety, its distinctive clinical character as contrasted with other types of exfoliative dermatitis is accepted. There is evidence, however, that even careful observers do not agree on all of its phases. This prompted us to make a complete review of our own material. In somewhat more than 2,200 cases of psoriasis seen at the Mayo Clinic we were able to find 22 typical cases of erythroderma psoriaticum, an incidence of about 1 per cent. Ten of the patients were females and twelve were males. Various nationalities were represented, but nationality did not seem to be of significance. The earliest onset of psoriasis in this series was at the age