14yo DS2 suddenly has eczema all over his body

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He suffered with it in a small way when he was very young, but nothing for years.

Now his skin appears to be very dry and flaky everywhere except his face and stomach - although he's resisting any attempts for me to have a proper look so I only know what I've caught glimpses of.

He says it's not bothering him and insists there's no need to go to the doctor. His arms and neck are definitely very red and flaky and I think his back, chest and legs are too. He's not scratching as much as he did with his childhood eczema but does a bit.

I've booked a doctors appointment in four weeks time (the first non-emergency one available!) but he's insisting he won't go and he won't show me his skin. I've given him some emollient recommended for eczema and dry skin but I don't think he's using it much. He won't let me do it.

Ultimately, I'm in charge and I can make him I suppose, but that doesn't sit easily with me in this case because it relates to his privacy and his body. Usually I'm very good at making him do as he's told for things like homework, food, screens and manners, but this feels different.

Is it likely to be eczema out of the blue like this? Is it just a matter of finding the right cream (so if we go to docs and he won't use the cream nothing changes?) or will they try and find the cause? It's been like this for at least 6 weeks now, maybe longer as I doubt I notices straightaway.

What would you do?

Isn't it awful when they get to this age? My DD got bitten by a spider....we're in Oz and it was a NASTY bite which went bad right away. The doctor made us use this ointment and change her dressings daily. As she's 13, this went down like a lead balloon!

I think you should insist and be pushy OP....I did. When it's their health and well being and they're grumpy, weird 14 year olds, they don't get a say in my opinion!

Get pushy and a bit bullying if needed. I had to! She got ok-ish with it in the end!

I presume you’ve thought through any changes that you’ve made, like washing powder, shower gel etc? I’d be surprised if it was eczema so suddenly and so wioespread.
Could it be stress?

It is very important to apply the creams and he wont want it to get worse poor sole. So I definitely think he is going to need some encouragement there. Eczema is a real nightmare, dd is older than your ds and has suffered a lot with it in the past.
Firstly I would say go to an unfragraced laundry liquid like surecare. Cut out all conditioners. Find out what may have been the trigger eg a shower gel, new shampoo, stress, swimming in chlorinated pool so many possibilities. My dd has allergies to dustmite, so to be cautious, you could go down that route with barrier covers for the mattress, anti allergy duvets and pillows, washing bedding at 60 degrees. Wash the curtains and blitz his bedroom. Another bad one for dd is the pollen season but its only now going to begin really. Recently also found out my dd is allergic to cats and dogs? Even a food may have caused the flare. Its so difficult. If you can insure he keeps to cotton clothing it will help let his skin breath.
My dd washes in the shower with aveeno daily moisturizer body wash from boots which is a good swap from a shower gel. I buy some creams in the range too but your doctor may put them on prescription. My dd has an emollient called diprobase on prescription but its quite heavy iykwim. Aveeno is lighter so he may tolerate it better but have a chat to the doctor. He may need a mild steriod if it is bad.
You may have to help him with his back
I hope you can get somewhere with it before the summer kicks in. And remember to insist her moisturise immediately after drying in shower as it traps in the extra moisture. Tell him to dab skin dry and not rub and to apply any cream in a downward motion to protect skin. Else he could end up with folliculitis, infection of the hair follicles.