Itchy rash from eczema can be found on the head, the scalp, the neck the inside of the elbows, behind the knees and the buttocks. Contact dermatitis like this can either be caused by either an allergic reaction or an irritant, for instance detergent. Another possibility is the Xerotic eczema, which starts with dry skin and then progresses into eczema. Animal fur and stress sometimes can trigger these flare-ups (sudden skin rashes). Luckily, the condition is not contagious and cannot be spread from one person to another. Diagnosis They can be diagnosed by any doctor, but mostly by pediatricians, allergists, and dermatologists. Since eczema victims also suffer from allergies, doctors usually perform allergy tests to pinpoint possible trigger-irritants. They can be as simple as changing your laundry detergent. Sometimes it can be as difficult as changing jobs (there is a type of the disease termed occupational eczema) or moving to a new place to find the right climate for your body. Some preventive methods Avoid having dry skin by taking warm (not hot) showers (not baths). Besides identifying the source of the rashes, parents can also help control the problem by keeping the skin of the baby well-moisturized. This helps prevent the dryness of the skin and eventually scaling and lesions. Be careful though when doing this because as mentioned before, some products that have chemical on them can actually cause the flare-ups. However, they are one in the belief that the cause is a combination of complex interaction of many factors our genes, where we live, chemical and organic pollutants, immune system malfunction, and a breakdown of the outermost skin layer. Risk factors Today, many risk factors related to atopic dermatitis eczema had already been isolated. Scratching can make the condition worse in the event that the skin is punctured or abraded allowing the entry of bacteria and germs. Keeping fingernails short can also help. To preclude of accidentally or unconsciously scratching yourself while asleep, having short fingernails is a must. Wearing cotton gloves also helps.