The evolution of views on the erythroderma

Erythroderma is inflammation ofpart or all of the skin. The diagnosis of an erythroderma puts the doctor in very difficult situation as he should solve a problem with many unknowns. The commonly accepted classification of an erythroderma doesn’t exist, and classification by Louis An Jeanne Brock based on separation of erythroderma on primary and secondary, is seldom used in recent years. At the end of the XX century most of authors refused division of erythroderma on primary and secondary. It is considered that “primary” erythroderma is a toxiderma and chronically proceeding malignant lymphoma of skin. Eryhtroderma represent one of the most complex problems of dermatology. First of all, it is explained by variety of the reasons, a pathogenesis ambiguity, and rather monotonous clinical picture, tendency of many forms of an erythroderma to a long and heavy current and resistance to therapy. Molecular immunology, immunophenotyping and genotyping methods help to differentiate various forms of the disease. Evolution of views of erythroderma with the detailed description of historical aspects, modern views and convenient classification are presented.