Potentially life-threatening emergency
Eczema herpeticum in Adult
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Synopsis
Eczema herpeticum is more commonly seen in patients with atopic dermatitis but may also be seen in cases of Darier disease, autoimmune bullous dermatoses, burns, mycosis fungoides, pityriasis rubra pilaris, and other forms of dermatitis such as irritant contact and seborrheic dermatitis. It mostly affects children but can occur in any age group.
Risk factors that have been proposed for the development of eczema herpeticum include mutations in filaggrin and deficiency of cathelicidins, skin antimicrobial peptides, in the skin.
Patients can develop numerous vesicles that may appear in successive crops for several days. Associated systemic symptoms can include high fevers, lymphadenopathy, and malaise. The primary infection is usually more severe than recurrent episodes.
Complications of eczema herpeticum include secondary bacterial infection and multiorgan involvement, including keratoconjunctivitis, meningitis, and encephalitis. Commonly implicated pathogens in bacterial superinfection include Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Systemic viremia can result in serious morbidity and mortality, especially in infants.
The disease is typically self-limited, lasting 2-4 weeks, but can be shortened by antiviral therapy. In healthy adult patients, mild cases can be self-limiting. In children and young infants, this condition is a medical emergency, and early treatment with antiviral therapy is required.
Codes
ICD10CM:B00.0 – Eczema herpeticum
SNOMEDCT:
186535001 – Eczema herpeticum
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Primary varicella
- Disseminated zoster
- Disseminated molluscum contagiosum
- Impetigo
- Erysipelas
- Contact dermatitis (irritant, allergic)
- Dermatitis herpetiformis
- Drug eruption
- Vesicular viral exanthem
- Hand-foot-and-mouth disease
- Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.Subscription Required
References
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Last Reviewed:03/02/2017
Last Updated:02/04/2021
Last Updated:02/04/2021
Potentially life-threatening emergency
Eczema herpeticum in Adult