Is dyshidrotic eczema a contraindication to smallpox vaccine?
Inactive dyshidrotic eczema (unless accompanied by a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis) is not a contraindication to vaccination. However, someone with active dyshidrotic eczema, should not be vaccinated until the disease becomes inactive. D. Eczema is a contraindication ONLY while active —- however you must probe the history to ensure that the potential vaccinee also does not have a history of atopic dermatitis (sometimes dyshidrotic eczema is the only manifestation of atopic dermatitis in adults, but they usually give you a pretty clear history of atopic dermatitis in childhood) Eczema is considered a contraindication to vaccination when active because of loss of integrity of the skin and when inactive because it often is confused with atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is a risk factor for development of eczema vaccinatum. It is felt that an immune deficiency that occurs with atopic dermatitis is the reason it is a risk for developing eczema vaccinatum.
