Eczema and Smallpox: A Scary Combination

In 2004, all American people who wanted it were able to get the small pox vaccination. Because the vaccine was discontinued in 1972, researchers have only historical records to study concerning the number of people who may be affected, but it is known that people who suffer from Atopic Dermatitis (AD) are at risk with this vaccination.

The reason that the impact is hard to determine is because people were not always accurately diagnosed before the smallpox vaccine was discontinued. There are no accurate records concerning the number of American people who suffered from AD and therefore, how they reacted to vaccinations. Because of this, it is important for all people who have AD (most people call this eczema, even though there are several forms of eczema) to be wary of the smallpox vaccination. Approximately 17 million American people have this disease. Eczema patients have an immune deficiency within the skin which lets certain viruses into the body. Among a variety of viruses, the virus that causes smallpox is certain threat to people with this skin disease. Vaccinia is the virus which is used to immunize against smallpox and can create an infection called eczema vaccinatum in eczema patients.

The infection can spread very quickly both internally and externally and can become lethal when not treated. Patients with the form of eczema known as Atopic Dermatitis may have a lifetime risk associated with the smallpox virus, but other form of eczema seem to be safer when not having a flare up. AD patients seem to be susceptible whether they are even when their skin condition is in recession.

Eczema patients should not only opt against the vaccine, but they should stay away from close friends and family who have had it for a period of 24 to 48 hours. Immediate family members of eczema patients should not receive the vaccine.

With others who have had the vaccination, contact transmission is the main risk. The live virus used in vaccinating people is on the surface of the area where they received the vaccination and can be transmitted to others who touch the area. Airborne transmission is only a worry in cases of outbreak, not with vaccination.

If you have eczema and come in contact with the vaccine is it important to see your physician immediately, especially if you are in the midst of a flare up because the virus can easily enter the broken skin. While most people who get the smallpox rash recover easily with treatment, but eczema sufferers often end up with scarring or, in some cases, death. You have been exposed if you touch an injection site before it has completely healed, if you come into contact with any other thing on which the virus remains live. Bandages, clothing, towels, and/or washcloths are all items that may have come in contact with the live virus and could still be carrying it.

Vaccinia Immune Globulin (VIG) is used in treatment if you are exposed to the virus. With prompt treatment, you should have little trouble, but patients who have been exposed become seriously ill, manifesting systemic symptoms and possibly death if treatment for the disease is still denied.

According to the Chief of the Division of Dermatology of King/Drew Medical Center, Los Angeles, and a member of the NEASE Scientific Advisory Committee, "People with eczema or atopic dermatitis tend to have a mild immune defect in their skin that can allow certain viruses such as Vaccinia (the live virus used in the smallpox vaccine) to spread both over the skin and internally, sometimes causing a lethal infection." Vaccinated people are urged to keep the affected area covered with specialized bandages to reduce and possibly eliminate the risk of transmission.  The CDC has developed a questionnaire to determine people at risk from this vaccination as well as those who would impose danger on immediate family members. Since the world is currently free of smallpox cases, so precautions need only be taken in concern with vaccinated people.