Eczema herpeticum

This code identifies a severe, disseminated viral infection characterized by widespread vesicular eruptions, often occurring on skin affected by pre-existing eczema or atopic dermatitis. It represents a superinfection of the skin by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), leading to painful, crusted lesions.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states "eczema herpeticum" or "Kaposi's varicelliform eruption." This diagnosis is typically made based on the characteristic clinical presentation in a patient with a history of eczema, often confirmed by viral culture or PCR for HSV.

• Always code the underlying eczema or atopic dermatitis as a secondary diagnosis, if present and documented.
• Distinguish from simple herpes simplex lesions (B00.1-B00.9) or other viral exanthems.
• Ensure documentation specifies the herpetic nature of the eczema superinfection.