Eczema herpeticum

Background

• May be life-threatening

Clinical Features

• Development of vesicular eruptions in areas of epidermis previously affected by atopic dermatitis
• fever is common
• The following is associated with increased susceptibility to Eczema Herpeticum:
  • Early age of onset of eczema
  • Larger surface area of eczema
  • Eczema of the head/neck

• 

  Eczema Herpeticum in immunocompromised patient. Source: See references below (1).

Differential Diagnosis

Herpes Simplex Virus-1

• Eczema herpeticum
• Herpes gingivostomatitis
• Herpes keratitis
• Herpes labialis (cold sore)
• Herpes simplex encephalitis
• Herpetic whitlow

Management

• Treatment to cover Staph and Strep
• Bactrim 10mg/kg/d in 2 divided doses OR clindamycin 24mg/kg/d divided into 3 doses x10d
• Acyclovir 80mg/kg/d in 3 divided doses x10

References

• Aronson PL, Yan AC, Mittal MK, Mohamad Z, Shah SS. Delayed Acyclovir and Outcomes of Children Hospitalized With Eczema Herpeticum. Pediatrics. 2011;128(6):1161-1167. doi:10.1542/peds.2011-0948.
• Bagazgoitia L, Beà S, Garate M, Moreno R, Jaén P. ECZEMA HERPETICUM IN A PATIENT WITH TERMINAL RENAL FAILURE UNDER NARROW-BAND UVB THERAPY. Indian Journal of Dermatology. 2010;55(2):200-201. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.62744.