What is Exfoliative Dermatitis?      Exfoliative dermatitis is
peeling of the skin over large areas of the body. The term
“exfoliative” refers to the exfoliation, or shedding, of the
skin. “Dermatitis” means irritation of the skin. The skin
peeling may be associated with pre-existing medical conditions
in some people, while in others the cause is unknown.
Exfoliative dermatitis, sometimes called erythroderma, is
serious but fairly uncommon. Complications can include
infection, loss of nutrients, and dehydration.      Causes of
Exfoliative Dermatitis      The root cause of exfoliative
dermatitis is a disorder of the skin cells. The cells die and
are shed too quickly in a process called “turning over.” The
rapid turnover of skin cells causes significant peeling and
scaling of the skin. The peeling and scaling may also be
described as “sloughing.”      Underlying Conditions      Many
people who already suffer from chronic skin conditions,
including autoimmune diseases, psoriasis, and eczema, can also
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