Any ideas how to track down the cause of contact eczema?

Question

My toddler (20 mo) developed (what I think is) contact eczema about two months ago. It looks like dozens of little red spots around her mouth that suddenly come up. We were very careful about weaning her because there is a history of nut allergy in the family and I kept a detailed diary of what she ate for the first year but there were no reactions. She has always enjoyed eating tomatoes and citrus fruits, but when the rash first appeared, it only took about three weeks and a bolognaise to see that tomatoes where clearly a trigger. I have seen the reaction again several times when she has managed to steal tomotoes from friends' plates at play-dates. We have also isolated oranges but there is definately something else. Any ideas as to other common triggers? I've tried everything but by the time they get to toddlerhood it's almost impossible to track down the cause. Has anyone else's child developed an allergy late on and did it cure itself?

Just to clarify - my baby doesn't have the eczema unless she eats tomatoes or oranges - in which case she has an almost immediate reaction. She'll go for days without any eczema and then it'll reappear, so I can't believe that it's not something she is coming into contact with.

I have had a doctror check it out - his diagnosis was an allergic reaction but in the UK you can't get prick (allergy) testing any more for children, so basically just told me to go away and sort it out myself. Grrrrrrr.

Answer 1

fist off my daughter has eczema... and from what you are telling me i don't think it is eczema.... if your little one is ONLY getting it around her mouth... i really don't think it is... you should check with your doctor... from what i know eczema isn't too bumpy. its more like an a rash... kinda like a razor cut... a big open wound. and it ITCHES!

but you should keep a food log or a log of what touches her and what soaps you use. and see what triggers it. i did with my daughter and i found out, for her, its berries.other common triggers are nuts and eggs.
but yes, if its eczema its possible to keep it under control. my daughter used it have it HORRIBLE. but now we know what does it and what creams and oils to use; she hasn't had an outbreak in months......

Answer 2

Egg white
Strawberries and red food colouring


First one was one of the things my daughter was seriously allergic to. She was also allergic to wheat and lactose. A chinese doctor told me NOT to eliminate them totally from her diet except the egg white. He said babies don't have the enzymes to digest egg white untill they are 3. And by totally eliminating the others i would possible be setting her up for serious allergies late in life. She is OK with wheat now but we eat non-wheat pasta now. She will get a mild attack of eczema if given regular helpings of wheat pasta. Only the last few months have i let her eat cakes ... they all have egg white in them. So far, so good.
Second my nephew had severe allergic reactions to when he was little all the way through his childhood. He's 16 now and has outgrown the allergy

Answer 3

firstly, you really need to have a doctor check the spots. at that age it can be just about anything.
my own son developed eczema after consuming pure fruit juices, the culprit being the vitamin C.
i have it as an adult in reaction to stress but as a small child, it was noted when i was in contact with wool or anything containing lanolin.
eggs can also bring this condition on in some youngsters.
i hope this helps. :)

Answer 4

Get a second opinion.Ecezema well the cause is hard to track down.My 12 year old gets dermatitis and the doctor said that thecause of it would be hard to trace without an allergy test.You say say tomatoes trigger it off well keep her away from tomatoes.Good luck with all of this

Answer 5

my son as eczema chocolate flares is up so we have just stopped him eating it and it clears up once it's out of his system if you go to your dr they will send your child for test that way you know for sure what not to feed them plus it doesn't hurt them .

Answer 6

http://www.eczemaresource.com/eczema/eczema.asp

Answer 7

No cause and no cure - I've had it all my life

Answer 8

there is no cause u either have it or u don't