Red Man Syndrome

The Red Man Syndrome (also known as Red Neck Syndrome, erythroderma, exfoliative dermatitis or dermatitis exfoliatia) is an inflammatory skin disease with redness of the skin (erythema) and scaling that affects nearly the entire skin of the patient.

The most common cause of the Red Man Syndrome is exacerbation of an underlying skin disease, such as psoriasis, contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, lichen planus, pityriasis rubra pilaris or a drug reaction.

The antibiotic Vancomycin is the most common drug-induced cause for the Red Man Syndrome[1].

The symptoms may be treated or prevented with antihistamines.

[1] Wallace et al: Red man syndrome: incidence, etiology, and prophylaxis in Journal of Infectious Diseases - 1991