Question:
I've had HSV1 for 10-11 years now and I pretty sure I've had eczema since birth, although I've only recently been diagnosed with it. I went in to the Dr. to get on valtrex daily and inquired about my eczema too which has spread all over my back and now chest, arms and legs. the one positive is that you can't see it... a minor comfort I guess.

He proceeds to tell me that herpes and eczema have been known to develop together into another disease. I think it may have a few variations as well since he had a few different names he was calling it.

does anyone know anything about this or perhaps have a variation of it? I don't really have any symptoms that I'm aware of but it never hurts to know since i do have both.

thanks

Answer:
I looked around after your comment and a while back someone mentioned Eczema Herpeticum and said it can cause a rash. I didn't have a chance to look any further but thought it might be worth googling to find more info.

I found the post by using the search feature here on this forum.

I am hoping someone who is familiar with it can offer some advice or personal experience that can help you.

Answer:
thanks cailope. I'm on Clobex spray for my eczema so we'll see how that goes.

I thankfully don't have eczema herpeticum.

One of the most serious complications with atopic eczema is eczema herpeticum, this develops when eczema becomes infected with the herpes virus. Eczema herpeticum is a serious condition and medical help must be sought. The symptoms of eczema herpeticum may include a high temperature, an extensive rash with small skin blisters filled with yellow pus and you may generally feel unwell. The rash can cover the whole of the skin surface. Eczema herpeticum can occur when anyone with eczema, especially if it is sore and open has skin to skin contact with someone who has active facial (cold sores) or genital herpes. Eczema herpeticum is treated with oral anti-virus antibiotics. However, considering how common the herpes simplex virus and atopic eczema are, this condition is fortunately quite rare.

If at any time the skin is very sore, weepy or you develop small blisters with pus then the eczema may have become infected, you should visit your doctor for advice and treatment.

Answer:
well I am sure glad you don't have it. I am very lucky as I only have hsv. I can't imagining having to contend with both eczema and hsv.

do you have any idea what your dr was talking about? or was he just saying to be careful since you have both?

Answer:
the HSV is really bad in my case because of it's blister size and high visibility but the time between OB's has lengthened to 1 or two major episodes a year (probably because I've had it so long). the eczema may be invisible but it's there every single day and i'm constantly itchy. it can drive you up a wall sometimes. it's gotten to the point i keep plastic forks in my drawer at work so i can scratch my back. i'm past worrying about what people think, it's way too itchy!

it's a lot easier to talk to people about eczema though since so many people have it and the fact that it's genetic not contagious.

as far as the doctor bringing up the eczema herpeticum, it was more part of conversation I think. He just mentioned that it's possible the two can combine but never really implied that I had it or gave me any reason to believe I would get it.

he was pretty honest in saying that Dr.'s are still pretty naive to workings of the virus.

Answer:
so does this mean that the dr's can't give you a reason that things have been becoming more frequent and more itchy?

I know that you mentioned the sun and how do you avoid that but any other indicators such as hormones (yes guys have hormones too and they change), or stressors or even other medications?

this must absolutely suck for you. I know many people who have eczema and some quite severely but what is there that can make you comfortable? You mentioned a spray does it help with the symptoms of itch? could this aggrevate your hsv? are you able to use antivirals for the hsv or will this aggrevate the eczema?

Answer:
so does this mean that the dr's can't give you a reason that things have been becoming more frequent and more itchy? basically. although eczema hit's hardest in the summer, tis the season! as of right now they are trying to pin point exactly what type of eczema I have. apparently it's atopic but it may be a form a yeast (which I've never been told before). i'm taking 2 tab's of Ketoconazole a week for two weeks to test for this yeast eczema then I'll go back in for another diagnosis. I'm also applying a Clobex spray used for psoriasis to help combat my flair up's.

I've been told that there are so many factor's that can contribute to an eczema OB, so like HSV it's very hard to target what the exact triggers are. I don't take any other medications aside from the ones I got from the dermatologist so hopefully no trigger's there. I've eliminated any fabric softeners and purchase only hypoallergenic laundry detergent. I switched to non-fragrant extra moisturizing bar soap and have tried to take only luke warm/cool showers (which is difficult). I heavily apply Eucerin, a healing lotion found at Walgreen’s which has done wonders in controlling the itching.

there is one trigger that I'm certain of at it's stress. If I get really stressed out it's feels like someone is jabbing me with thousands of needles all over my back, arms, legs and chest and my tiny eczema spots turn bright red and stay that way for 10 to 20 minutes. it can get so bad I feel like I might pass out. However the triggers only make the flair ups and itching worse, the itching and small but nearly invisible spots are ALWAYS there. the condition only goes from mild to worse, never completely gone.

from what I've been told it doesn't sound like antiviral’s will upset the eczema nor have I had any adverse reactions in taking valtrex or alvycor.

to reduce the itching I recommend Eucerin, although it's only temporary and is kind of greasy it does the trick. they have a lotion spray so you can get your back if needed.

worse comes to worse and your freaking out because the itching is so bad get some aveeno packets and run a bath.

many people don't think about itching as pain but essentially that's what it is, a form of nerve irritation. In fact, it can go from what people know daily as a minor itch to this unrelenting, prickly pain that can drive you nuts.

I guess the only thing I’ve found to ease the pain is by applying lots of extra moisturizing lotion. Since I most often get HSV OB’s in the summer I often wonder if adding lots of moisture to your skin can lead to an HSV breakout?? Although my doctor doesn’t see a correlation between moisture/humidity and HSV.

Answer:
I often hear that moisture, heat, yeast, stress . . . contribute to many an ob.

I agree with you that itching is pain. Those little electric shock feelings that simulate a tickle they are pain.

I like the aveeno bath powders for the itching I found them to be very soothing.

Thanks for the info.

Answer:
Hi Ppear....

I too, have had eczema since I was a little girl. (2 years old.)

One of the things that those of us with both herpes and eczema must be careful of is spreading ....it IS easier to spread herpes to other parts of the body, but the simple fact that eczema leaves our skin "open"....you know how it is when it is super itchy and I don't care who you are, it is impossible NOT to itch it when it is acting up....but this leaves an almost wound like opening in the skin, thus, should you have the herpes virus on your fingertips, transmission is alot easier than for someone who doesn't have eczema. The key is to keep your skin healthy (as you have mentioned, eucerin is a HUGE help in keeping the skin mosturized and preventing an eczema outbreak) and various cortizone creams once you actually DO have an eczema outbreak.

Keeping your hands, fingers and fingernails clean is tantamount to prevent spreading. Unfortunately, excessive handwashing (like i do!) can CAUSE your eczema to flare up, so it is a catch 22. The only thing I can suggest is using good hand mosturizers like Eucerin, or Curel. Good on the skin and for our sensitive skin.

I have found that, like herpes, as I have gotten older, my eczema is alot easier to control than it was as a teen/young adult. However, certain weather conditions (for me a cold dry winter!) stress, bad diet can contribute to an eczema flare up.

At least, thank god, eczema is NOT contagious. This is where I get really pissed off at people on this site, when they want to say "oh herpes is just a skin condition". No, I HAVE a "skin condition" and as horrible as it is/has been/can be...at least nobody can contract it from me. Whereas herpes IS a contagious virus. THAT is a huge difference.

I am happy to say that my herpes outbreaks have lessened a bit. Oh sure, I still get them, but not as often and not as viruently. And yes, I am VERY careful about not spreading it, especially when my eczema is acting up!!

I wish you the very best, and if you ever need to blab, know that I (and others ) are here for you! Take care!