Allergy testing

Allergy testing is sometimes used to help people who have eczema that doesn't respond to normal treatment, especially if a teen has asthma or seasonal allergies.
If a person is tested for food allergies, he or she may be given certain foods (such as eggs, milk, soy, or nuts) and observed to see if the food causes an eczema flare. Food allergy testing can also be done by pricking the person's skin with an extract of the food substance and observing the reaction. But sometimes allergy testing can be misleading because the person may have an allergic reaction to a food that is not causing the eczema flare.
If a person is tested for allergy to dyes or fragrances, a patch of the substance will be placed against the person's skin and he or she will be monitored to see if skin irritation develops.
Can I Prevent Eczema?Eczema can't be cured, but there are plenty of things you can do to prevent a flare. For facial eczema, wash gently with a nondrying facial cleanser or soap substitute, use a facial moisturizer that says noncomedogenic/oil-free, and apply only hypoallergenic makeup and sunscreens. In addition, the following tips may help:
Avoid triggers and substances that stress skin. Besides your known triggers, some things you may want to avoid include household cleaners, detergents, lotions, and harsh soaps.
H20 is a no-no. Too much exposure to water can dry out your skin, so take short warm, not hot, showers and baths and wear gloves if your hands will be in water for long periods of time.
Say yes to cotton. Clothes made of scratchy fabric like wool can irritate your skin. Cotton clothes are a better bet.
Moisturize! An unfragranced moisturizer such as petroleum jelly will prevent your skin from becoming irritated and cracked.
Don't scratch that itch. Even though it's difficult to resist, scratching your itch can worsen eczema and make it more difficult for the skin to heal because you can break the skin and bacteria can get in, causing an infection.
Keep it cool. Sudden changes in temperature, sweating, and becoming overheated may cause your eczema to kick into action.
Take your meds. Follow your doctor's or dermatologist's directions and take your medication as directed.
Chill out. Stress can aggravate eczema, so try to relax.