While eczema is a common condition and typically not life-threatening, it can escalate into a serious medical situation if the rashes become infected.
This could even develop into a severe condition known as eczema herpeticum, as the NHS, highlighted certain red flags that patients should be aware of.
It advises those with eczema to monitor any changes in their rashes, especially if accompanied by a high fever or generally feeling unwell, as this could suggest an infection.
You or your child’s eczema could be infected if it has any of the following symptoms:
- Blistering that crusts over, leaks fluid or develops pus-filled spots
- Painful or swollen rashes that feel warm
- Suddenly worsens or grows
The NHS advised contacting 111 for assistance or arrange an urgent GP appointment if you notice these combinations of symptoms.
Eczema affects approximately one in five children and one in 10 adults in the UK, according to the National Eczema Society. The society noted it’s “highly likely” that individuals with eczema will encounter a bacterial, fungal or viral skin infection at some stage in their lives, adding: “All of these infections require intervention to clear them up as they do not improve on their own.”
Eczema can compromise the skin’s protective barriers, leading to further complications such as eczema herpeticum. This “serious condition” arises when the herpes simplex virus infects the skin, often necessitating hospital treatment with intravenous medication.
Atopic eczema is the most prevalent type of eczema, typically presenting as itchy, dry, or scaly patches that differ in colour from the surrounding skin and may also blister or bleed.
Nonetheless, there are several forms of this skin condition. Discoid eczema creates round or oval patches that may discharge fluid and cause the adjacent skin to become hot, swollen, or sore if infected.
Pompholyx targets hands and feet with persistent itchy blisters; signs of infection include green or yellow pus or a crusty yellow-brown coating.
Finally, varicose eczema stems from blood flow issues in the leg and must be treated to prevent potential leg ulcers. These are wounds that usually take more than two weeks to heal.
