My five year old has had it since he was 2 months old. If there is one thing I've learned from all this is that what works for one person may very well not work for another. To make a very long, hard, frusterating, (I could go on and on)story shorter we ultimately found out through allergy tests that he was allergic to Milk, Soy, Eggs, Peanut Butter, and cats. Avoiding these things has made things a bit easier, however, as he has gotten older he has less problem with eczema and has developed allergy induced asthma. We now carry albuterol syrup, benedryl, and his epi pen everywhere we go.
Since you don't know what is causing the Eczema I would suggest this; The common items children are allergic to are: Milk, Soy, Egg, Wheat, dogs, cats, peanut butter, shellfish. Try avoiding all these products for a week or two and then a week at a time add them back in one at a time. You may be able to find that she reacts to one of them. I have listed other helpful tips below. Be aware that most loations including Cetiphyl may burn her skin. During the week or two you should also include the following tips;
1. Give her two soaking oatmeal baths per day for 10 to 15 minutes (morning and night). (Aveno oatmeal bath)
2. As soon as possible after each bath apply any skin medications she has been prescribed to the problem areas. Then, coat body with Aquaphor.
3. As a bath wash or a loation, Cetiphil face wash(or the equate off brand) works wonders and it is so gentle you don't even have to wash it off, just pat dry.
4. Aveno products for eczema work great including the oatmeal bath.
5. Egg is offten used in immunizations like chicken pox.
6. Do not use dryer sheets.
7. Use Dreft laundry detergent on her clothes.
8. Don't let her get sweaty. This one is important for anybody with eczema.
9. Expect Eczema to put her in a foul mood to some degree.
10. A recient study found a higher rate of skin cancer in young chilren that were currently using Elidel. Our doctor discontinued our stript for this one.
11. Use prescription strength Hydrocortozone sparingly as it thins the skin and removes the pigment. My child has discolored splotches behind knees from before I was told of this fact.