very late in responding but here is my input. As others said do look for an allergy diagnosis, this could be foods or environmental. When you go to allergist it would be helpful for them to know if there is a history in the family.
It's tough to give advice for this because there are many varying degrees of AD (Atopic Dermatitis) and eczema is considered a form of AD -
Based on my experience (son born severely food allergic, AD from 1 week on and asthmatic) and that of the specialist we've consulted you could try to following approaches.
1. 20 minute soak in a warm tub ensuring that all body parts except for face are soaked in the water.
2. slather a sealant over his skin immediately following the bath (within three minutes) to seal in the moisture.
many times the recommendation if to use a topical steroid on the skin where the AD is flaring but some folks are more into natural remedies versus steroids so if this is the case a good sealant should be used. Vanicream is one of the best.
There are also low dose steroid creams or what they call Immunomodulators - ellidel or desonide that work great on areas you do not want to apply a stronger steroid - (groin, face, underarm areas.
3. stay away from fabrics such as wool or acrylic - some people recommend 100% cotton, but the issues with 100% cotton is that at times it shrinks and becomes tight and then no longer breathes as well so a cotton blend is also fine - easier to find as well.
These kids typically have really dry skin so anything drying should be avoided. Some of the soaps folks have recommended are good but you should only be using a gentle cleanser a few times a week - The only other time you would use a gentle cleanser is after the pool- chlorine is by nature a disinfectant so you will notice the skin looks slightly better after being in the pool but the chlorine must be washed off completely or it will cause further inflamation. (cetaphil, oil of olay, basis, oilatum, aveeno, neutragena are all good gentle cleansers)
They recommend not using lotions and no products with dyes or fragrances.
Also wash closthes in hot and dry on hot and use a dye free fragrance free non allergenic laundry detergent. All free clear is a good one - I rinse twice but my son has very sensitive skin.
The other tactic sounds uncomfortable and drastic but if it is a severe case it works. It is called wet dressing - after the bath you apply the cream of topical steroid you have chosen to use - (only one, not both- never layer) then you take your cotton blend clothing including socks if the hands and feet are affected and you get them wet with (I try to get the water as hot as I can stand it) you wring out the clothing and put it on the child, by the time it gets on him it is warm not hot and not as uncomfortable as cold wet clothing would be. YOu then put dry clothing over the wet and big tube like socks over the socks on hands and feet. I use a blanket sleeper as they are warmer - I also often put a blanket in the dryer and then wrap him in it to keep him warm-this stays on for 2 hours during the day and at night sometimes he sleeps in it. This allows the skin to soak in the moisture and it is sealed so the skin has a better chance to be rehydrated. Some of the kids with AD have skin that is very hot to the touch so the wet clothes sometimes feels good but not every child likes it. if the head is affected you can by something called curlex which is like light weight gauze and you can put this around the head to seal in the moisture -
The key is to get the AD under control - some theorists say that if you can keep the flares to a minimum in a young child for at least a year that the chances of the child outgrowing it or having less of an issue are greater.
all the folks who told you that AD or eczema is a symptom of a bigger problem are correct and there are many different triggers so you will want to work with a specialist to figure out the best course for your child.
sorry this is so late and I hope you find it helpful -