People of all ages are vulnerable to eczema herpeticum.
Eczema herpeticum is a rare but serious skin condition that usually occurs when the herpes simplex virus attacks a part of the skin where another condition, usually eczema, already exists. This disease is considered very dangerous and there are various scenarios where it can become fatal. It is not uncommon for a person to successfully fight the disease on their own, but the possible complications are so serious that it is almost always treated as a serious emergency. It can easily happen multiple times, but the first outbreak is usually the most dangerous.
Eczema herpeticum can sometimes occur at the site of a severe sunburn.
Skin disorder eczema is the most common underlying cause of this condition and is usually characterized by a red, itchy rash. The first signs that normal eczema has turned into eczema herpeticum involve the development of blisters around the area of the rash. Initially, they will be filled with a clear liquid and will have small depressions at the top. The clear fluid inside the blisters will begin to turn into pus, and eventually the sores will break open and bleed. The infected individual usually develops a fever and, generally, a feeling of fatigue.
Eczema herpeticum occurs when the herpes simplex virus attacks a part of the skin where another disease already exists.
People of all ages are vulnerable to eczema herpeticum, and it affects both women and men. In most cases, the illness lasts about two weeks, but six weeks is not uncommon. Most people who develop the condition have a pre-existing problem with eczema, but in cases where eczema is not the underlying cause, it can sometimes occur at the site of an injury or sunburn.
In addition to skin problems, someone with eczema herpeticum may develop a fever and a feeling of fatigue.
There are several potentially serious complications associated with eczema herpeticum. First, it is possible for the disease to spread to a person’s eyes and this can lead to blindness. In severe cases, it can also spread to internal organs, leading to life-threatening organ failure. The most dangerous possibility is a complication called superinfection, which occurs when bacteria called S. aureus invade an area that already has a viral eczema herpeticum infection. When superinfection occurs, the disease is often fatal, even with proper medical treatment.
The skin condition eczema is characterized by an itchy red rash and is a common underlying condition for eczema herpeticum.
Diagnosis can be difficult due to the rarity of the condition and the fact that in the early stages eczema herpeticum may look like a particularly severe eczema flare-up. If a person has any suspicion that he may be suffering from this disease, it is usually recommended that he inform his doctor and request tests. Early diagnosis is often crucial due to the dangerous complications that can develop in later stages. To make a positive diagnosis, the doctor usually needs a sample of fluid from one of the wounds and may decide to start treatment even before the results are in, just in case.
Normal treatment involves the use of an antiviral drug called acyclovir, which is believed to be good at slowing the progress of herpes. It is not a cure, but it can help the body fight the virus. In severe situations, the drug can be given intravenously to speed up the healing process. Antibiotic treatments are also common as a precautionary measure against the possibility of superinfection.