Definition

1. Noun:
   • A medical condition: Eczema herpeticum is a severe and potentially serious skin infection. It occurs when the herpes simplex virus (HSV) infects skin that is already affected by eczema or other inflammatory skin conditions. The condition is characterized by a feverish state and the widespread eruption of numerous small, fluid-filled blisters (vesicles). It is most commonly observed in children, particularly those with atopic dermatitis.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The pediatrician diagnosed the child's sudden, painful rash as eczema herpeticum.
  • Eczema herpeticum requires prompt medical attention to prevent complications.
  • A high fever accompanied the vesicular eruption, which is typical of eczema herpeticum.

Advanced Usage

• Clinical Context: The term is used almost exclusively in medical and dermatological contexts to describe this specific viral complication of pre-existing eczema.
  • The differential diagnosis included impetigo and eczema herpeticum.

Variants and Related Words

• Eczema (noun): A general term for conditions that cause inflammation and irritation of the skin, often characterized by itchiness, redness, and dryness. Eczema herpeticum is a complication of eczema.
• Dermatitis (noun): Inflammation of the skin; atopic dermatitis is a common type of eczema.
• Kaposi varicelliform eruption (noun): An older or more general medical term sometimes used synonymously with eczema herpeticum, describing a widespread vesicular eruption due to viral infection in a person with pre-existing skin disease.

Synonyms

• Kaposi's varicelliform eruption: A synonymous term in medical literature.

Notes on Meaning

• This term refers specifically to a secondary infection. The primary condition is eczema; the secondary, complicating factor is the herpes simplex virus.
• It is considered a dermatological emergency due to the risk of the virus spreading and causing systemic illness.

Noun

1. eczema characterized by a feverish condition and widespread eruption of vesicles; most common in children