A 5-year-old boy with a history of eczema is now covered with a widespread chickenpox rash. His parents are concerned because the itching seems to be intense, and the skin under the rash is already broken and inflamed due to eczema. What are the potential complications and the next steps?
In a child with eczema, chickenpox can lead to a more severe and widespread rash, called eczema herpeticum. Additionally, the broken and inflamed skin increases the risk of secondary bacterial skin infection. The child should be evaluated by a healthcare professional promptly. An antiviral medication such as acyclovir might be considered to lessen the severity of the infection, and attention should be given to skin care to prevent bacterial superinfection.