Eczema Help

[Salyna]

I took my four year old daughter to the doctor's last week for a hug spotted rash on her torso.  After a few days, it went to the top of her buttocks, neck and elbows.  A few months prior to that, my 16 month old son was diagnosed with Eczema and the doctor just told me to use the over the counter Eczema cream for babies.  So, when this same rash appeared on my daugther, I used this cream, but it continued to get worse.  At her appointment last week, the doctor said that it probably started as an irriation from something or contact dermititis.  He said at this point, it has turned into an Eczema like rash.  What does that mean?  Does she have it or not?  He told me to use the over the counter cream 3x a day and 1% hydrocortisone cream once a day.  This regiman has truly helped.  What causes Eczema and can I prevent future outbreaks of it?  Thanks!

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

The itch scratch cycle that comes with a dermatitis may cause excoriations that may crust and weep.Dermatitis still falls under eczematous diseases.Some dermatits may not present with excoriations like contact dermatitis. Further scratching may lead to manifestations of vesicles that may erupt and recurr again with the itch scratch cycle.The cause of the eczema may be due to allergic (immunologic) or irritant causes.The pathophysiology may be complex and entails molecular mechanisms.

You may discuss this with your physician and do keep us posted.

[Salyna]

"I took my four year old daughter to the doctor's last week for a hug spotted rash on her torso."

OOPS - MEANT "HUGE" NOT HUG!