Is this typical for eczema?

[ReshapeWhileDamp]

DS2 is 16 months and has just developed some really sore-looking patches on his legs. They start off as tiny pin-head spots, red and raised, and group together into rough, raised areas. He won't leave them alone, keeps on scratching at them, and some of the areas are getting raw. They're in very discrete areas, not all merged into one - one at the top of each foot, one either side of each knee. He isn't rubbing on anything that I can think of, and though we changed our laundry powder a month or so ago, nowhere else on his body is affected. His bum's quite spotty too, unusually. He's in cloth nappies and I wondered if he's reacting to the washing powder, or maybe the nappies need a strip wash - but in any case, it's all down his legs too.

What do I do? Does it sound like eczema? Why is he suddenly getting it now? I haven't changed my diet (he's still bf), he hasn't, and neither DS has ever had allergies or any problems with their skin.

(He has a cold at the moment and is prone to viral rashes, but this started before he showed cold symptoms.)

I would have thought eczema would be generally in more areas, eg. hands/arms.
It's localised, so it sounds like an allergic reaction to something;
maybe the nappies were washed in a detergent he's sensitive to;
maybe he has shorts or trousers with a material, label, or embroidered pattern which he is reacting to;
did he sit down naked somewhere where dust-mites, dogs or cats have been - or his bath towel could have dropped onto the floor & been exposed to something he's reacting to, before being used on him?
or did he wear (or borrow) anything recently which could have been exposed to these?
If he has a cold, if he is taking medication, this could cause a rash reaction. (eg. amoxil commonly causes rashes).
If in doubt, see a doctor! Hope he's better soon!

btw, besides seeing a doctor for soothing cream (did you try calamine lotion?), you could put soft mittens (or socks!) on his hands at bedtime, to reduce the scratching!

Optimal, thanks for replying! I did some googling and apparently he has it in some of the 'classic' areas for eczema - knees and ankles. But no, he has it nowhere else, yet. He's been in an assortment of trousers and nothing's embroidered, and it's the wrong place for a label. He used to wear handknitted woollen dungarees but hasn't for several months. No pets here (plenty of dust though!). He started the rash before I started giving him Calpol and Iboprofen for his fever.

He wears a grobag at night, so he can't reach his legs directly, but was trying to scratch one foot with the other last night so I'll try socks tonight.

You're welcome. Hope it settles down. E45 cream may help; cetraben cream if it's severe. Keep to fragrance-free products & nylon-free thread in clothes!
The fragrance in some baby creams (eg. Johnsons), or fragranced wet wipes might irritate.
Sometimes a rash can be brought on by the elastic or nylon-like thread on clothes; or ironing over seams and elasticated sections can cause those bits to irritate & lead to a rash.

When the weather's warm enough - if conditions allow - why not let him run around with no nappy, to give the skin a chance to breath without irritants. (keep his nails short & smooth!). Hope it improves. :)