Ecxema returned?

I had severe ecxema as a baby, it went away and returned when I was around 12. It was a very bad case that was not really ever controlled. It primarily affected my forearmms, hands and eyelids. The hands were the worst. I was always told it would probably go away in my late twenties, which is exactly what it did. I am 38 now and in the last year my legs have been flaring up with rashes and it itches excessively. Nothing really on my hands or arms, just my legs. It actually looks like tiny hives and it comes and goes. I have been using an old prscription - Cyclocort 1%. It does help some with the itching. Does this sound like ecxema again or something else?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It could very well be eczema, which comes and goes at intervals throughout life.  That seems most likely.  Does Cyclocort make the rashes go away, or just itch less.  The skin doctor you ought to see will want to know that.  Allergy to food, soap, and detergent is not likely to be relevant.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff