Do a patch test with the dermatologist. Also I highly recommend doing a full food and environmental allergy test by an allergist. I suffered from severe full body eczema head to toe and knowing what I was sensitive to and allergic to was a game changer.

I've had patch tests done three times. The first was for environmental allergens and helped me. The last two were both for food allergies and I am a new person staying away from the food allergies. I keep finding things that I react to but most are related to my positive skin tests and allergens. Good luck!

Hi Sherita: I had a patch test done on my Granddaughter since she had such bad eczema and it really helped. Now I knew what to avoid and her flareups are not so severe an happen less. Go for it.

That new patch test ,can't wait till get mine done

Personally, I think food allergy testing is a waste of time, as food allergies change all the time. I might be allergic to sesame seeds today and if I test three months later, I would not be allergic to sesame seeds. You can easily determine what foods you are allergic to simply by eliminating certain foods for a period of time, and then adding them back into your diet. Google elimination diet for food allergies.

However, I highly recommend patch testing. I learned I was allergic to fragrances and eliminating fragrances has made a major improvement in my life. Patch testing is no fun, but it is so important for you to know what you are allergic to. For instance, I'm allergic to the cleaning solution that is used to clean scopes in a surgical setting. I'm also allergic to nickel and it's possible that stents for the heart are made out of nickel. So it's good for me to know these things. I'm also highly allergic to latex and so in an operating room, I would need a latex free environment. These things are important. I always carry a list of my allergies in my purse.

Many people with eczema suffer a great deal, as they do not know what they are allergic to.

Best of luck.
Madelyn
Temecula, CA