Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionA Word From Verywell
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
A Word From Verywell
The viral infection that can cause cold sores may develop in other areas of the body as well—in some cases, the condition can be life-threatening.
Additionally, the strain of herpes that is responsible for genital herpes, known as herpes simplex 2 virus (HSV-2),may be connected to EH infections.
Ellen Lindner / Verywell
People who are most prone to EH are young children and individuals with inflammatory skin disorders like atopic dermatitis (AD), which often shows up as an itchy, red rash.
Eczema
In addition to the potential for a widespread outbreak of uncomfortable blisters and rashes, EH often occurs with an onslaught of systemic symptoms as well, according to a report inDer Hautarzt,an international dermatology journal. It is unknown why some people with inflammatory skin disorders repeatedly develop EH and others do not.
If you suspect you or your child has symptoms of EH, seek out medical care as soon as possible. Since the viral infection can disseminate throughout the body, knowing the symptoms can help you get prompt medical attention.
It may be surprising to learn that touching a sore or skin lesion of an infected person is only one way to contract the infection. Another way is through a phenomenon known as asymptomatic viral shedding—a person may be infected and not have any sores or additional symptoms. From time to time, however, the virus can become reactivated in people who carry it.
Although there may be no apparent signs or symptoms, the virus can be “shed” or transmitted to another individual during the period of reactivation.
Additionally, people who have abnormalities in the protective barrier of the skin,such as those with AD, are more likely to contract EH. Normally, the skin’s barrier helps to keep it moisturized while guarding against environmental factors like bacteria and viruses. When the barrier is compromised, skin can become, dry, cracked, and sensitive, leaving people more susceptible to infections.
A prompt diagnosis of EH is critical to have the best chance of a successful recovery and minimize the risk of complications.
A healthcare provider can diagnose EH based on clinical presentation, but the infection can look similar to impetigo, chickenpox, and complications from thesmallpoxvaccine in people with AD.
To confirm the viral infection, a swab may be taken and cultured from one of the blisters or lesions. The healthcare provider may also order a culture to check for the presence of bacteria, which is known as a secondary infection and can be a common occurrence among EH cases. Therefore, it is possible to have both a bacterial and a viral infection simultaneously.
The primary way to treat EH is with acyclovir or valacyclovir, antiviral medications. If a person has a severe case of EH or is significantly immunocompromised, their physician, other healthcare provider or medical team may recommend treatment in the hospital where systemic medications, such as intravenous or injections, can be administered.
If a secondary infection is suspected, you may be prescribed antibiotics at the same time.Additionally, if EH is near the eyes, a consultation with an ophthalmologist is advised—the herpes simplex virus can affect the eyes and cause scarring of the cornea.
To prevent the spread of the EH from one person to another, the National Eczema Association (NEA) recommends:
Additional preventive measures include:
Does Sun Exposure Help Eczema?
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Liaw FY, Huang CF, Hsueh JT, Chiang CP.Eczema herpeticum: a medical emergency.Can Fam Physician. 2012;58(12):1358-1361.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox. Apr 28, 2021.American Academy of Dermatology.Herpes Simplex: Who Gets and Causes.Wang V, Boguniewicz J, Boguniewicz M, et al.The infectious complications of atopic dermatitis.Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2021;126(1):3-12. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2020.08.002Rerinck HC, Kamann S, Wollenberg A.Eczema herpeticatum.Hautarzt.2006;57:586–591. doi:10.1007/s00105-006-1168-xAmerican Academy of Dermatology.Herpes Simplex: Who Gets and Causes.British Association of Dermatologists.Eczema Herpeticum. Aug 2020.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Eczema Herpeticum. Feb 16, 2021.National Eczema Association.Eczema Herpeticum.National Eczema Association.Eczema Treatments Overview.American Academy of Dermatology.Herpes Simplex: Tips for Managing.Additional ReadingAmerican Academy of Dermatology.Herpes simplex.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Liaw FY, Huang CF, Hsueh JT, Chiang CP.Eczema herpeticum: a medical emergency.Can Fam Physician. 2012;58(12):1358-1361.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox. Apr 28, 2021.American Academy of Dermatology.Herpes Simplex: Who Gets and Causes.Wang V, Boguniewicz J, Boguniewicz M, et al.The infectious complications of atopic dermatitis.Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2021;126(1):3-12. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2020.08.002Rerinck HC, Kamann S, Wollenberg A.Eczema herpeticatum.Hautarzt.2006;57:586–591. doi:10.1007/s00105-006-1168-xAmerican Academy of Dermatology.Herpes Simplex: Who Gets and Causes.British Association of Dermatologists.Eczema Herpeticum. Aug 2020.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Eczema Herpeticum. Feb 16, 2021.National Eczema Association.Eczema Herpeticum.National Eczema Association.Eczema Treatments Overview.American Academy of Dermatology.Herpes Simplex: Tips for Managing.Additional ReadingAmerican Academy of Dermatology.Herpes simplex.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Liaw FY, Huang CF, Hsueh JT, Chiang CP.Eczema herpeticum: a medical emergency.Can Fam Physician. 2012;58(12):1358-1361.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox. Apr 28, 2021.American Academy of Dermatology.Herpes Simplex: Who Gets and Causes.Wang V, Boguniewicz J, Boguniewicz M, et al.The infectious complications of atopic dermatitis.Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2021;126(1):3-12. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2020.08.002Rerinck HC, Kamann S, Wollenberg A.Eczema herpeticatum.Hautarzt.2006;57:586–591. doi:10.1007/s00105-006-1168-xAmerican Academy of Dermatology.Herpes Simplex: Who Gets and Causes.British Association of Dermatologists.Eczema Herpeticum. Aug 2020.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Eczema Herpeticum. Feb 16, 2021.National Eczema Association.Eczema Herpeticum.National Eczema Association.Eczema Treatments Overview.American Academy of Dermatology.Herpes Simplex: Tips for Managing.
Liaw FY, Huang CF, Hsueh JT, Chiang CP.Eczema herpeticum: a medical emergency.Can Fam Physician. 2012;58(12):1358-1361.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox. Apr 28, 2021.
American Academy of Dermatology.Herpes Simplex: Who Gets and Causes.
Wang V, Boguniewicz J, Boguniewicz M, et al.The infectious complications of atopic dermatitis.Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2021;126(1):3-12. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2020.08.002
Rerinck HC, Kamann S, Wollenberg A.Eczema herpeticatum.Hautarzt.2006;57:586–591. doi:10.1007/s00105-006-1168-x
British Association of Dermatologists.Eczema Herpeticum. Aug 2020.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Eczema Herpeticum. Feb 16, 2021.
National Eczema Association.Eczema Herpeticum.
National Eczema Association.Eczema Treatments Overview.
American Academy of Dermatology.Herpes Simplex: Tips for Managing.
American Academy of Dermatology.Herpes simplex.
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