A case of generalized varicelliform eruption after herpes zoster oticus

OBJECTIVE: To report the case of a healthy man with a previously unreported combination of generalized varicelliform eruption and herpes zoster oticus. PATIENT: A 44-year-old immunocompetent man who developed generalized varicelliform eruption after peripheral facial palsy with herpes zoster oticus without any underlying immunocompromised state. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The skin lesion was improved during his hospitalization period. Facial palsy was completely cured after 2 months of treatment. CONCLUSION: Herpes zoster oticus occurs rarely and accounts for approximately 1% of all cases of herpes zoster and generalized varicelliform eruption occurs in 2% to 10% of unselected patients with herpes zoster. Most of these patients have an underlying condition that is associated with an immunocompromised state such as lymphoproliferative disease. Varicelliform eruptions are extremely rare among healthy patients without any underlying disease.