Infection, pneumonia and congestive heart failure brought on by erythrodermic psoriasis can cause death. People with this condition are often hospitalized. This form of psoriasis can occur abruptly as the initial sign of psoriasis, or come on more gradually in people with plaque psoriasis. The reason psoriasis becomes more generalized is not understood, although there are some known triggers. Treatments Initial therapy usually includes medium-potency topical steroids and liberal moisturizers, combined with oatmeal baths and bed rest.
Careful attention is paid to restoring and maintaining fluids in the body.
This is often successful in bringing the condition under control within a few days. Use of systemic steroids for erythrodermic psoriasis is controversial, and if used, they should be tapered off slowly, because stopping them suddenly can trigger a worsening of psoriasis. For acute cases, systemic steroids combined with methotrexate can be useful if a person's condition is monitored carefully during the necessary steroid tapering-off period. Combination therapies are often used because the medications needed to address an erythrodermic crisis have potentially serious side effects. Sometimes, antibiotics are added to combat infections.