Exfoliative dermatitis (Ritter’s disease) is a dangerous disease of a bacterial nature, which, as a rule, requires treatment in a hospital.

Causes of exfoliative dermatitis

The occurrence of exfoliative dermatitis is due to the action of exotoxins from Staphylococcus aureus ( Staphylococcus aureus ), causing severe inflammation of the skin, its delamination and detachment. In adults, the disease can develop in the presence of severe somatic diseases (renal failure), the presence of immunodeficiency.

In children, Ritter’s dermatitis occurs mainly in the first year of life due to the immaturity of the immune system (antistaphylococcal antibodies are not produced) and the slower breakdown and elimination of pathogenic exotoxins from the body.

Symptoms of exfoliative dermatitis

Exfoliative dermatitis has several stages of the development of the disease, and their characteristic signs, but in addition to the stages, a general clinical picture can be distinguished:

  • The skin on different parts of the body can become sensitive, painful;
  • Diffuse redness of the skin is noted, the most pronounced changes in the face and neck, large folds (inguinal, axillary)
  • The skin exfoliates in large layers and leaves behind extensive erosion
  • The general well-being of the child suffers (fever, drowsiness, tearfulness, loss of appetite and weight, etc.)

Symptoms of exfoliative dermatitis in stages:

  • 1. Erythematous (initial) stage – the skin turns red, swelling is noted
  • 2. Exfoliative – a dangerous period of the disease, occurs a few days after the onset of the disease. The skin in places of redness begins to exfoliate (Nikolsky’s symptom), leaving behind erosion; lesions merge with each other, affecting large segments of the skin.
  • 3. Regenerative (final) stage – the symptoms of the disease are on the decline, large-lamellar peeling is noted

Complications of exfoliative dermatitis include the development of bacterial otitis, pneumonia, phlegmon, pyelonephritis. In severe cases, death is possible.

You can see the signs of exfoliative dermatitis in adults and children in the photo section.

If the course of the disease is mild (small area of the lesion, absence of papules), recovery occurs in two weeks.

Treatment of exfoliative dermatitis

If symptoms characteristic of Ritter’s dermatitis appear, you should immediately contact a specialist (dermatologist or infectious disease specialist) to confirm or exclude the diagnosis. A doctor can easily diagnose this disease, but research is necessary to exclude diseases that have similar symptoms – Lyell’s syndrome , Kawasaki disease, toxic shock.

To confirm the diagnosis, you can conduct a bacteriological study – perform a smear or culture from the areas of the primary focus of infection (umbilical wound, nasal cavity or oropharynx, etc.)

Treatment of exfoliative dermatitis is carried out in a round-the-clock hospital. Antibacterial drugs are used, taking into account the sensitivity of the flora, and corrective therapy is also carried out to maintain the work of other organs. For topical use, antibiotic ointments and solutions with antiseptics are used.

Treatment of exfoliative dermatitis with folk remedies

Despite the rich experience of traditional medicine, and a huge baggage of recipes based on the use of natural ingredients, the treatment of exfoliative dermatitis with folk remedies is unacceptable.

Using folk remedies, you can lose time, the disease will progress, which can cause irreversible processes in the body. In addition, using dubious and often ineffective means, you can aggravate the situation and harm.

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