Oh Lynny, I really feel for you. My ds started with eczema in november last year when he was 5 months. It started as little patches on his cheeks and around his mouth and then spread like wild fire. We spent 2 days in hospital mid december for something unrelated (he's SN as well). Thankfully while we were on the ward we got to see the dermatologist. She prescribed speicaliast creams. 2 days later his eczema was severely infected under his chin, all around his neck and behind his ears. I felt AWFUL seeing him in such pain and feeling miserable. We had some community nurses come out to show me how to wet wrap him. Like one of the other poster said, the infected skin has to be completely cleared. It does work wonders, but ds hated having it done and screamed the second he saw me coming towards him with the garments!
He's 15 months now and his eczema is managable. At this time of year we cut back to 1 bath a week and regular creaming. I am feeling a bit nervous as to what this winter will bring, but we got through it once, we will get through it again if we have to. As for food allergies, ds doesn't seem to have any major allergies, apart from a possible nut allergy. He does have some minor skin reactions to some foods, but I think it is moe the colourings than the food itself.
I'm glad that your dd is feeling a bit better today. Keep up the good work.