Abstract
Eczema herpeticum (EH), a form of Kaposi's varicelliform eruption, is the dissemination
of herpes simplex virus in the setting of preexisting eczema. We discuss the case
of an 18-year-old woman with underlying atopic dermatitis (AD) who presented to an
Emergency Department complaining of malaise, fever, and a spreading, burning, vesiculopapular
facial rash. She was treated for both presumed impetigo and a flare of her underlying
AD with cephalexin, bacitracin ointment, topical steroids, and diphenhydramine. Her
condition worsened, and she was seen 3 days later by her primary care physician, who
recognized the superimposition of a herpetic infection on her underlying AD and revised
the diagnosis to EH. An oral regimen of acyclovir led to prompt resolution of the
patient's rash and symptoms. Recognition of EH in the acute care setting is essential
for the provision of timely and specific treatment and to avoid the serious sequelae
of this condition.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 01, 2008
Accepted:
November 3,
2007
Received in revised form:
June 6,
2007
Received:
February 19,
2007
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Published by Elsevier Inc.
