Discussion:
One of the most serious complications with atopic eczema is eczema herpeticum, this develops when eczema becomes infected with the herpes virus. Eczema herpeticum is a serious condition and medical help must be sought. The symptoms of eczema herpeticum may include a high temperature, an extensive rash with small skin blisters filled with yellow pus and you may generally feel unwell. The rash can cover the whole of the skin surface. Eczema herpeticum can occur when anyone with eczema, especially if it is sore and open has skin to skin contact with someone who has active facial (cold sores) or genital herpes. Eczema herpeticum is treated with oral anti-virus antibiotics. However, considering how common the herpes simplex virus and atopic eczema are, this condition is fortunately quite rare.

The condition is also rarely seen in patients with any skin condition that produces fissures or epithelial disruption in the skin, such as Darier-White disease, pemphigus, severe icthyosis vulgaris, mycosis fungoides (cutaneous T-cell lymphoma) and others (see reference articles below).

In this particular case that patient was treated with (oral) Valtrex, 1000mg, TID for seven days that resulted in complete resolution.






To read CME article on Kaposi Varicelliform Eruption

To view other "Crutchield Dermatology Clinical Cases of the Month" in our archives please click here