PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Amjad Khan
AU  - Lindsay Shaw
AU  - Jolanta Bernatoniene
TI  - Fifteen-minute consultation: eczema herpeticum in a child
AID  - 10.1136/archdischild-2013-304460
DP  - 2015 Apr 01
TA  - Archives of disease in childhood - Education & practice edition
PG  - 64--68
VI  - 100
IP  - 2
4099  - http://ep.bmj.com/content/100/2/64.short
4100  - http://ep.bmj.com/content/100/2/64.full
SO  - Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed2015 Apr 01; 100
AB  - Eczema herpeticum (EH) occurs when there is secondary skin infection with herpes simplex virus in an atopic patient. The patient may not have unusually severe or active eczema. It is thought that the abnormal skin barrier function predisposes to infection, which can spread rapidly. Viraemia and secondary septicaemia can occur, and the condition can be life-threatening. The first episode of herpes infection is usually the worst and requires systemic treatment. Early recognition is vital. The presentation may be difficult to distinguish from secondary bacterial infection, which is common in eczema. A useful clinical clue is the presence of many very similar shaped and sized eroded lesions. Intact blisters may not be seen due to scratching. A rapid deterioration in eczema in a child who is systemically unwell should prompt consideration of EH.