Herpes – Eczema Herpeticum

Eczema Herpeticum, also called Kaposi Varicelliform Eruption, is a very common skin disorder I frequently encounter in my eczema patients in both my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices. In patients with eczema flares, the cause of the flare may be superinfection with the herpes virus. Eczema patients have an impaired skin barrier, so bacteria and viruses can easily penetrate the stratum corneum to cause infection. The lesions in Eczema Herpeticum, appear as erosions or ulcers in the eczematous areas. In healthy patients with a competent immune system, the course of Eczema Herpeticum is usually self-limited. Oral antivirals are the mainstay of treatment especially Valacyclovir.