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Volume 215 - Issue 9

Eczema coxsackium

Authors:  Hsing‐Jou Su and Chun‐Bing Chen

Med J Aust 2021; 215 (9): 403-403. || doi: 10.5694/mja2.51297
Published online: 1 November 2021

A 6-month-old female infant with atopic dermatitis presented with multiple erythematous papules and vesicles with crusts on the perioral area, trunk and extremities

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A 6‐month‐old female infant with atopic dermatitis presented with multiple erythematous papules and vesicles with crusts on the perioral area, trunk and extremities (Figure). The distribution of the new skin eruptions was almost on the same areas of atopic dermatitis. She was afebrile with mildly decreased appetite and activity. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for throat and vesicle fluid were positive for coxsackievirus A6 but negative for herpes simplex virus, confirming diagnosis of eczema coxsackium. After topical corticosteroid, topical antibiotics, and adequate hydration, the skin lesions resolved within 2 weeks. Eczema coxsackium is commonly caused by coxsackievirus A6 in patients with atopic dermatitis.1 Differential diagnoses include varicella zoster infection, eczema herpeticum, and bullous impetigo. PCR testing for enterovirus detection of the vesicle fluid helps to differentiate eczema coxsackium from eczema herpeticum. Early diagnosis can prevent inappropriate use of antibiotics or acyclovir.2

Authors

  • Hsing‐Jou Su1,2,3
  • Chun‐Bing Chen1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
  • 1. Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
  • 2. Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
  • 3. Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
  • 4. Drug Hypersensitivity Clinical and Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
  • 5. Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
  • 6. Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Keelung, Taiwan
  • 7. Xiamen Chang Gung Hospital, Xiamen, China
  • 8. Immune‐Oncology Center of Excellence, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan

Correspondence: chunbing.chen@gmail.com

Competing interests

No relevant disclosures.

References

View this article on Wiley Online Library

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