My dermatologist states that I have eczema. Let me begin my story: In July, I noticed I had some scaly rash marks around my neck and inside my right arm. I took medication that got rid of the rash around my neck, but it didn't do anything to my arm. So he gave me stronger medicine that started to chip away some of the arm. But a month later, the rash is still present on my arm. Now, I have another rash, much larger, around my neck again that occurred this past weekend! It doesn't itch unless I have clothes or jewelry touching it. So I rarely (more like never) itch my neck or arm.

At first, I thought it was soap or lotion. I use Oil of Olay Extra Dry Skin (I've been using this for years without any breakouts until now). I also use Jergens Original Scent lotion (i've been using this for years without any breakouts). I am 20 years old, college student, taking showers but never had any of these effects, and now I'm breaking out. What is causing this? He assigned me Allegra, but I stopped taking it since it's not doing anything for me.

I'm a little confused. Has he given you any topical creams for this, or just pills? I once had a small bout with eczema before my allergies were diagnosed, and I used a hydrocortizone cream on it and it went away.

Maybe internet search eczema and look at pictures and see if it resembles yours.

I have also heard that a B12 deficiency can exaserbate eczema. In Germany, (I think, I know it is somewhere in Europe ) they prescribe a B12 cream for it.

He gave me two creams, but I stopped using them because I realize that on my right arm, where it's chipping away, I'm losing pigmentation in my arm. I thought that was a sign of a no-no. I rather have the same pigmentation on my arm than have someone misdiagnose me as having vitiligo.

I don't know what's going on, but I just want this to stop. I have no idea what I am allergic to but I start college pretty soon and I don't want anyone to see how hellish I look around my neck and right arm.

The first time I got eczema, it was on the inside of my elbow. Now I just get it on my neck and face, which can be quite embarrassing.

In some cases, you can't just make it go away. There is a reason you are getting it; somehting is causing it. In my case it is most likely allergies. I can put cream on it and it will go away temporarily, but it always comes back (I use an ointment called Protopic). I am not sure what it is that I am allergic to that causes the eczema, but I am allergic to almost everything they put in cosmetic products. I was getting eczema on my lips for months--they'd peel every day and burn. It turned out to be something in my toothpaste (a dye or flavoring). Now I use plain Colgate and I rarely get it on my lips any more.

I'd suggest switching around the products you normally use. If you don't already, switch to a fragrance free detergent (I use All Free and Clear). Try a fragrance free lotion. A new kind of soap, deodorant, hair products, makeup, etc. You can develop an allergy at any time in your life, so just because you have always used something does not mean it couldn't be the cause. I was fine with all products until I was about 21--now I can't use a lot of them.

I know this is frustrating. Hopefully your case is different than mine and will go away on it's own. You may also consider going to a dermatologist and getting allergy tested. Good luck!

My case sounds so familiar to you, Mrs Lee. I got my first case on the inside of my elbow and around my collarbone. (Never on my face) Now, it looks like I'm developing another case on my left arm on the inside of my elbow (ugh). I'm going to the dermatologist hopefully on Monday, and I'm bringing everything that I use with me so he can look and see what is causing the outbreak.

See -- I have another question. I think the main culprits are the soap or lotion I use. However, since I put this stuff on my hands all the time, shouldn't my hands break out as well? My hands are perfectly fine right now. I've heard people who have had mouths, ears, etc. break out. I know I have to wear special earrings since my ears can break out on contact. If that is the case, then the soap/lotion are not the culprits behind my breakout?

I think the skin around the inside of your elbows and your neck is very sensitive compared to the skin on your hands. It may be more susceptible to breaking out.

I remember the dermatologist suggesting that it could be my scented (it's weird but one certain kind doesn't bother me) deodorant could be causing the rash on my neck. I asked a similar question: how can that be, when I put it on my armpits? They said that there are ways your can spread it, such as when you put on and remove your clothing. Also, if you put lotion on your hand, then touch your arms, face, neck, etc, you are spreading it. It's weird and doesn't seem to make much sense, but if you suspect it's your lotion and soap, definetly try switching and see what happens. As a side note, I find lotion irritates me more, because soap you wash off, but lotions absorbs into your skin.

How can I return pigmentation that I lost in the affected areas due to eczema?

It sounds to me that you may not be suffering from eczema. I have chronic eczema and know from expierence that it is incredibly itchy. My dermatoligist has also told me that eczema is simply "the itch that rashes" meaning that if you have eczema your skin is super sensitive to all irritants including your body soap, clothes, lotions, anything that comes into contact with your skin that causes your skin to itch and by scratching, you create the "rash". Eczema can also be caused by allergic reactions to foods. You should ask your doctor to presibe you a topical steriod cream to apply to the rash and see if this helps, but to me it doesn't sound like eczema.