Winter Skin Moisturizing to Prevent Eczema and Psoriasis

Erythroderma is a serious dermatological complication that often worsens from common skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Patients experience widespread redness, swelling, dryness, peeling, and intense itching, often accompanied by a foul odor, severely impacting their quality of life. Dermatologist Dr. Jiang Songyi warns that erythroderma not only affects appearance but can also lead to life-threatening complications such as sepsis and heart failure. She urges the public to prioritize skin care and prevent it early.
Causes and symptoms of erythroderma
Dr. Jiang pointed out that erythroderma is usually caused by localeczemaWith lack of proper care, seasonal changes, and stress, eczema can develop into atopic dermatitis and ultimately erythroderma. Erythroderma causes widespread redness (up to 90%) of the skin, resembling a "roast suckling pig," accompanied by blisters, intense itching, and an unpleasant odor. This severely affects appearance and causes emotional distress in many patients.
Potential risks of erythroderma
The blood vessels in the skin of patients with erythroderma dilate, causing rapid heat dissipation and making them more susceptible to hypothermia. In addition, a large amount of water and protein is lost, which increases the burden on the heart and can easily lead to heart failure, especially for the elderly.Weaken immunity, patients are also more likely to suffer from bacterial infections, leading to systemic sepsis and even life-threatening.

Prevention and treatment of erythroderma
The key to preventing erythroderma is moisturizing. Dr. Chiang emphasizes that many eczema patients mistakenly believe that "if it doesn't itch, then don't take care of your skin." Even if you don't have obvious symptoms, you should still use an oil-based moisturizer every morning and evening, or at least three times a day in autumn and winter (after waking up, after showering, and before bed) to maintain skin hydration. If you're concerned about a greasy feeling, you can opt for a regular moisturizer.

Because many skin diseases have similar symptoms and are easily confused, Dr. Jiang recommends that if you have any skin problems, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible to clarify the cause and avoid delaying treatment or aggravating the condition due to misuse of medication.

Dr. Jiang shared a case study of a 70-year-old patient with eczema. Due to long-term skin care neglect, the patient's condition rapidly worsened within a few days, developing erythroderma, characterized by redness, swelling, intense itching, and even scratching and bleeding. After diagnosis, as the patient's condition was not yet severe, the doctor prescribed oral steroids and antibiotics and instructed the family to provide attentive care and regular follow-up visits.