Roseann Levy, age 15, of Miami, Fla., for her question:

WHAT CAUSES ECZEMA?

Eczema is a skin eruption that is caused by some allergy. Infants and children are most likely to have a problem with eczema. Here's how you pronounce the word: ek zee ma.

A red rash usually starts on the forehead, cheeks and scalp. Then it may spread to the inner sides of the arms and legs. Sometimes the whole body can be covered with a rash. Often there's an itching. If scratched, the skin can become infected by bacteria.

The red blotches can become moist and then develop crusts. Later the skin becomes dry and scaly.

Doctors say the best treatment is to find out the cause of the rash. Then the skin must be kept clean. The rash then usually disappears.