Eczema can be a precursor to asthma and food allergy. I have three kids, two boys have food allergies. My oldest had the most awful scaly skin, people used to stop me in stores and berate me for how i washed him or his clothes. It was awful. People assume you arent trying, that you are just failing as a parent. Of course, he had a really bad case! I would say go to a good dermatologist from the beginning (if you can afford to do so). We had the best luck with a liquid detergent and softener (no baby dreft-one of the WORST for perfumes and such-ugh), bar dove soap, applied thick creams right after bathing. If eczema is something new and you have never changed detergents or anything, don't go changing them now. kwim? Many people start out using TIde and have no problems, then their child gets eczema and they change and have more problems..If you have always used the same thing, keep using it. Don't change. We used various prescription creams. Hydrocortisone in various forms (westcort and triamcinolone cream are varieties of this that are Rx), we used in the end Temovate, Acclovate and Cutivate with other moisturizing creams. They are the top of the line for steroid creams and worked well, but should only be used when absolutely necessary. Try to avoid perfumes and smelly things, anything unscented is good..Each child is different, making a list of the items you use helps too..Helps you maybe determine what is going on. A friend of mine had a child with skin rash and couldnt figure out what was causing the problem. I was over one evening and found her using some stinky baby bath stuff on him....Try not to fall into the baby bath and things like that. They are always perfumed and arent the best for baby skin that is sensitive. Good luck, let us know how it goes..