New research has found a subset of eczema patients who are at risk for serious viral infections, opening new ways for health practitioners to approach the treatment and control of the condition which can have serious qualify-of-life implications.

Researchers from the National Jewish Medical and Research Center and colleagues from other institutions have found such eczema patients tend to have more severe disease, an earlier onset and a frequent history of staph infections.

They are also more likely to be allergic to food and other allergens.

“Previous studies have suggested that eczema is not only becoming more prevalent, but that patients have increased susceptibility to disseminated viral infections,” said senior author Dr. Donald Leung, Edelstein Family Chair of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the center.

“Our study is the largest and first in the United States to carefully characterize eczema patients who have suffered widespread herpes simplex viral infections of their skin,” he adds.

While some cases of eczema may require medical intervention, some sufferers have also benefitted from nutritional supplements with Vitamin C and Vitamin E as well as herbal medicines containing extracts of evening primrose oil and virgin coconut oil.