Kaposi’s varicelliform eruption complicating irritant contact dermatitis

Abstract

Kaposi’s varicelliform eruption (KVE) or eczema herpeticum is a disseminated viral infection superimposed on pre-existing dermatosis. It is frequently caused by Herpes simplex and certain other viruses. It may result on life-threatening viraemia with multiorgan involvement and secondary infections. We report a 34-year old female patient with KVE which is caused by herpes virus developed on irritant contact dermatitis because of its rare occurrence.