Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift für Dermatologie, Venerologie, und verwandte Gebiete
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Patients affected by atopic dermatitis tend to develop viral infections. Probably the most feared complication of atopic dermatitis is eczema herpeticum, a disseminated infection with herpes simplex virus. ⋯ The clinical diagnosis may be confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, viral culture, electron microscopy with negative staining, Tzanck test, immunofluorescence tests or serology. While intravenous acyclovir is still regarded as standard treatment of eczema herpeticum, several recently-developed antiviral drugs provide therapeutic options.