Eczema herpeticum is a rare but severe and contagious disseminated infection that generally occurs at sites of skin damage produced by, for example, atopic dermatitis, burns, long-term usage of topical steroids or eczema.

Some sources reserve the term "eczema herpeticum" when the cause is due to human herpes simplex virus,[2] and the term "Kaposi varicelliform eruption" to describe the general presentation without specifying the virus.

[1] It appears as numerous umbilicated vesicles superimposed on healing atopic dermatitis.

In addition to the skin, this infection affects multiple organs, including the eyes, brain, lung, and liver, and can be fatal.

[citation needed] It can be treated with systemic antiviral drugs, such as aciclovir or valganciclovir.