herpes and eczema

[migus]

Atopic dermatitis. I'm having a dry skin all over my body but it's mild, i've been having it for many years but seeked medical advice cause i had rashes on my face too, but they are mild also, and i'm using moisturizing creams. During the last month i've had some redness and some itchy spots on my elbows and my doc gave me a steroid cream to use. As i read on the internet, people with atopic dermatitis can have eczema herpeticum and the thing that worries me is that my girlfriend has herpes frequently on her lips. I certainly don't want to stop kissing my gf,nor be caucious all the time about her having herpes and such. Is it probable that i progress to herpes eczeticum or is it rare? Is it lethal?
Another q is that, i'm having painfull skin breaking inside my mouth for the second time this month, i'm thinking it's probably from my teeth chewing on my inner mouth by accident, but maybe this is due to herpes? I've never had any herpes episodes but my mother has had all her life.

Thanks.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Eczema herpeticum is not common at all.  When you consider how many people have herpes cold sores and how many people have eczema, you would expect that there would be many cases, and yet I can't remember the last time I saw a case in an adult.  I would advise that you avoid kissing your girlfriend if she has an active attack--which I assume you would do anyway.  If you develop a widespread rash with blisters and fever, a doctor could treat you, but again, that's really not likely.

As to your second question, herpes doesn't generally affect the inside of the mouth.  You should ask a dentist or dermatologist to look inside and see if your guess about biting your mouth is correct, as it probably is.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff