Erythroderma: review of a potentially life-threatening dermatosis.

Erythroderma, or generalized exfoliative dermatitis, is a disease characterized by erythema and scaling of greater than 90% of the body's surface. The resultant dysmetabolism is potentially life threatening. A detailed history is to identify and treat the underlying cause of this dermatitis. We present two cases of erythroderma in African patients and review this important disease.