Managing viral infection

Viral infections also occur in atopic eczema. The most common viral infections are herpes simplex virus (with the complication eczema herpeticum), molluscum contagiosum, viral warts (and verrucae) and varicella (chicken pox). NICE (2007) recommends the following steps for management of eczema herpeticum: start treatment with oral Aciclovir at first suspicion of eczema herpeticum. For more severe and confirmed infection intravenous Aciclovir may be required.