unknown reoccurring rash, please help!

Since roughly august of 2008, I have been dealing with a reoccurring skin rash that first started appearing over my arms and has now worked its way up my neck and to most of my face and chest.
It goes away for about a month and a half and then reappears in the same area in the same pattern.
Some of the symptoms for the different areas that have been affected include:
1)a severe drying out of the skin for my arms and face to the point that my forehead begins to flake and the side of my face dries out then begins to ooze a clear almost yellow like discharge.
2) The skin over my chest becomes stiff and rough almost like leather and the skin of the crook of my arms flake and become extremely dry and scaly.
3) It feels as though there is moving around underneath my skin that makes me itch so bad that I can't stop scratching even when I have drawn blood
4) The skin on my neck dries to the point of cracking and emits the same clear yellowish discharge as the sides of my face
5) After bathing the skin of the affected area dries almost immediately and starts to crack and peel and burn from contact with the water
6) And most recently, I have noticed that certain food or drink causes me to itch uncontrollably as well
I have gone to several doctors in the past year and a half and each have diagnosed it differently anywhere from a stress related rash to atopic eczema to folicullitis and each have prescribed different treatments from various creams to pills, none of which seem to have solved the problem.
It’s getting to the point where I can't even hold a job because of this skin condition.
If anyone can help with this it would greatly be appreciated.
I will be posting images of the affected areas for further examination once I can photograph the areas if it will help.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it typically sounds like eczema. Eczema is a form of chronic dermatitis (rash).Allergic reaction is one of the important causes of eczema. Allergic reaction can occur to strong soaps, Solvents, chemicals, certain foods, food additives, plants, metals, cosmetics, even urine and faeces of some animals (dust mites).

Wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. You can apply some calamine lotion at the rash as it will help in soothing the skin. You can take some OTC oral antihistamine medications like Benadryl or Claritin and see if it helps.

For mild-moderate eczema a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone as dermacort), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide ) which are available by prescription. Eczema can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Use good quality moisturizers to prevent moisture loss from the skin.

If the symptoms persist then please consult a dermatologist.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.