Eczema usually shows up on a baby's forehead, cheeks, and scalp, but it can also occur on the
arms, legs, chest, or other parts of the body. 
Some common eczema questions answered:
My baby has scaly red patches on the skin that seem to be very itchy. What is this ugly rash?
It sounds like eczema (also called atopic dermatitis)—a skin rash that often appears in the first year of life. Eczema usually shows up on a baby's forehead, cheeks, and scalp, but it can also occur on the arms, legs, chest, or other parts of the body. Your baby's rash might look like dry, thickened, scaly skin, or it might be made up of tiny red bumps that can blister, ooze, or become infected if scratched. Eczema isn't contagious, but because it's intensely itchy, scratching can be a problem.
What causes eczema?No one knows for sure, but we do know that the tendency to have eczema is often inherited. So your baby is more likely to have it if you or a close family member has had eczema, asthma or allergies. Eczema is not an allergic reaction to a substance, but it can be triggered by allergens in your baby's diet — or in your diet if you're breastfeeding. The rash can also be aggravated by heat, irritants that come in contact with your baby's skin (like wool or the chemicals in some soaps, lotions, and detergents), changes in temperature, and dry skin.
How common is eczema?About 20 percent of infants and young children have eczema. It usually starts in infancy, with 65 percent of patients developing symptoms in the first year of life and 90 percent developing symptoms before age 5. About 60 percent of cases persist into adulthood, although many babies with the condition improve by the age of 2.
