Eczema Herpeticum
One of the rare forms of eczema is known as eczema herpeticum. It is related to herpes simplex, a viral disease affecting the genital and mouth areas. It can be prompted by the skin damage caused by herpes, thus the name eczema herpeticum. However, it is not always linked directly to herpes. Eczema herpeticum can spread rapidly across the body, affecting not only the skin, but also the brain, liver, kidneys, and lungs.
Symptoms
Usually, symptoms do not occur until a week or more after the time of the infection. Blisters around the site of the infection are the first sign, followed by fever and swelling of the lymph nodes. Crusting, swelling, oozing, and deterioration of the skin continue to affect the skin beyond the area of original infection. As the disease continues to spread across the body, bacterial infection may occur in unprotected skin lesions produced by the blisters, and the skin begins to erode.
Causes
Skin damage from herpes is not the only means of getting eczema herpeticum. Other skin damage can prompt the outbreak of eczema herpeticum, including severe forms of atopic eczema, burns, coxsackievirus, and vaccinia. The disease occurs when an existing skin lesion is infected with a virus (often the herpes simplex virus).
Treatment
The only form of treatment is by way of antiviral drugs. The two drugs most commonly used to prevent the dissemination are acyclovir and valaciclovir. It is important that someone who suspects eczema herpeticum be admitted to a professional healthcare provider as soon as possible. The condition has been known to be fatal, and because the disease spreads so quickly and affects the vital organs, speed and immediate care are absolutely necessary.
Complications
Eczema herpeticum is a dermatological emergency, requiring sustained intensive care. The risks of serious and life-threatening disease are only secondary to the severe risk of infection from eczema herpeticum itself.
