Treatment of Recurrent Eczema Herpeticum in Pregnancy With Acyclovir

BACKGROUND Eczema herpeticum is an uncommon manifestation of an infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV). The disease is primarily seen in patients with histories of atopic eczema. Eczema herpeticum may be a life-threatening illness, but the mortality is felt to be <10% with modern antiviral and antibacterial agents. The use of acyclovir for other viral infections secondary to herpesvirus in pregnancy has been well documented. The authors now present a case report of eczema herpeticum treated with acyclovir during pregnancy. CASE A patient with a history of eczema herpeticum presented in pregnancy with a recurrence. She was successfully treated with intravenous (IV) acyclovir with good maternal and fetal outcome. CONCLUSION Acyclovir may be utilized in pregnancy for several manifestations of HSV including eczema herpeticum.