Eczema herpeticum | |
---|---|
Specialty | Infectious diseases |
Eczema herpeticum is a rare but severe and contagious disseminated infection that generally occurs at sites of skin damage produced by, for example, atopic dermatitis, burns, long-term usage of topical steroids or eczema.[1] It is also known as Kaposi varicelliform eruption, Pustulosis varioliformis acute and Kaposi–Juliusberg dermatitis.
Some sources reserve the term "eczema herpeticum" when the cause is due to human herpes simplex virus,[2] and the term "Kaposi varicelliform eruption" to describe the general presentation without specifying the virus.[3]
This condition is most commonly caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 or 2, but may also be caused by coxsackievirus A16, or vaccinia virus.[1] It appears as numerous umbilicated vesicles superimposed on healing atopic dermatitis. it is often accompanied by fever and lymphadenopathy. Eczema herpeticum can be life-threatening in babies.