Study of exfoliative dermatitis.

A study of 46 cases of exfoliative dermatitis revealed peak distribution in sixth decade and very high preponderance in males (M:F = 6.67 : 1). The highest single cause was found to be psoriasis (41.30%). Injudicious use of topical medicaments including herbal medicines and haphazard treatment were found to be the precipitating factors in 34% cases of pre-existing dermatoses. Laboratory investigations contributed little towards diagnosis except in lymphoma group; but were helpful in knowing systemic implications of the disease. Skin biopsy was found to be helpful in diagnosing underlying skin disorders in 18 cases (40.91%). Two cases (43.5%) had malignancy as the cause of exfoliative dermatitis.