When should I consider referring a patient with erythroderma to a dermatologist?

Consider referring a patient with erythroderma to a dermatologist urgently if the diagnosis is uncertain, if the condition is severe, or if it is not responding to initial management. Erythroderma is a serious dermatological condition that often requires specialist assessment to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment. Immediate referral is particularly important if there are signs of complications or if the patient’s quality of life is significantly affected.

In children, referral should be considered if the skin condition is not controlled satisfactorily, if there are adverse reactions to treatments, or if there are significant social or psychological problems related to the skin condition. Specialist advice is also warranted if there is suspicion of contact allergic dermatitis or if infections are severe or recurrent.

Although the provided guidelines do not explicitly mention erythroderma referral criteria, the principles for severe or uncontrolled dermatological conditions, such as atopic eczema, apply similarly to erythroderma, which is a dermatological emergency requiring specialist input.