A tragic case of atopic eczema: malnutrition and infections despite multivitamins and supplements.

Eczema  is  a  common  childhood  atopic  condition and treatment is with emollients,  topical corticosteroids and  avoidance  of  possible  triggers. S.  aurues colonization is a common complication. During exacerbation,  intensification  of treatment  is needed  to relieve   the  child   from   the   miserable   symptoms   of pruritus   and  sleep  disturbance.   Systemic   antibiotics against S. aureus may be required. We  report  an  infant  with  eczema  who  presented with a generalised rash, cardiac arrest and septic shock. Kwashiorkor-like    protein    energy   malnutrition    was noted presumably due to deviated dietary practice.  Childhood  eczema  is an eminently  treatable  atopic disease. Extreme alternative therapy seems not to be efficacious and may even be associated with grave sequelae.