Is this a rash or his eczema?

[Firstbaby1234]

My 5 month old son has eczema but we have just been bathing him and noticed this (see picture attached) I am a bit concerned and don’t know if this looks more like a rash than his eczema?

Is it itchy? Are they BF or bottle? It could be a reaction. Have you done anything different?

@Mummy2C he does try and itch his belly but he always itches him stomach as his eczema is always there! It just looks really inflamed today more like a rash? He is formula fed but I haven’t done anything different. The doctor gave him some different eczema cream but we have been using this for about a week and a half now

Do you use anything in the bath? It does look inflamed.

@Mummy2C No nothing apart from dermol which we use as a soap substitute which was prescribed by the doctor. The rash seems to stop where his nappy goes which is a bit strange

Different washing powder? Has he worn anything that was new but unwashed?

Could his clothing/new washing detergent be irritating him? It does look sore and I would get it checked out.

I hate worrying you further, but babies who have eczema are more prone to developing food allergies too. Previously, the advice was to introduce potential food allergens late when weaning these babies, but that advice has been found to be wrong and it's now thought that peanuts etc should be introduced early (NB as diluted peanut butter). I think it's from 5 months and it can greatly reduce the risk of allergy. Maybe ask your doctor about this.

Again, I'm sorry to add to your worries, but I would have dearly loved the opportunity to do this for my DS who has multiple food allergies now.

Sorry, same idea as @whoami24601, cross-posted

I know this sounds weird but my friend used a well know brand of nappies, and had this type of reaction in her son. Almost like a line as on your photo, above where the nappy stops.

She changed brands and it stopped.

I might be wrong but this looks like a reaction to me.

Might be worth a try all the same.

I have rang the doctors for an appointment to get him checked out, he has got a cough and a cold at the moment and he won’t drink his milk. Don’t know if it could all be related?

Could be a viral rash maybe, given your update?
Hope he's doing okay OP.