Hi~
No fun. We've experienced that in our family too. Eczema is an autoimmune condition (Really! Search it online!) but doctors don't seem to treat it as such. It is a symptom of something else and you need to find the CAUSE. It is usually caused by a food intolerance. Gluten and dairy intolerance are two common causes of eczema. Doctors and some articles will tell you it is "rare" but it really isn't. I hope you have a little time to search online. Just type "eczema gluten dairy" and you will find LOTS of info. Keep reading!
http://www.bottomlinesecrets.com/print.html?article_id=41081
http://www.foodintol.com/food_intolerance/cause_eczema.htm
http://www.foodallergytest.com/eczema.html (you can ignore the info about the program they offer, I don't know anything about it...I just included the article for all the info about food intolerances!)
Also, other autoimmune skin conditions such as dermatitis herpetiformis (a rash exclusive to celiac disease) or psoriasis are often misdiagnosed as eczema.
I would not do the bleach thing! Ouch! It will not cure the eczema...This needs to be treated from the INSIDE of the body! Hydrocortisone is treating the symptoms but it won't take care of the cause. My eczema and that of both my children finally went away when we went off gluten. Gluten intolerance is genetic. Your son MAY be gluten intolerant. I had eczema for 40 years until I found the cure! Wish I would have known. It is an INTOLERANCE rather than an allergy so allergy testing may not pick it up. It is worth allergy testing though since allergies can cause eczema or worsten it. Soy, nuts and eggs arealso common allergens.
This is a really broad and complicated topic but I gotta run! Please let me know if you are wanting to learning more. I'd be interested to hear if your son has any other symptoms. There are many! A good functional nutritionist could explain things to you better than I can but I'd be happy to get you started. I am not a medical provider and, I promise, I don't sell anything! LOL! I'm just a mom who hated seeing my kids suffer (from eczema and some other symptoms) just like I know you do. :) Remember...Treat it from the INSIDE.
Take care,
~L