Holly Osborne, age 14, of Greenville, Miss., for her question:

WHAT CAUSES ECZEMA?

Eczema is a chronic form of inflammation of the skin, or dermatitis. The akin becomes red and fluid filled pimples, called vesicles, may form, or crusts and scales may develop on the skin surface. Usually the area itches.

Eczema, doctors believe, is usually a form of allergy that results from extreme sensitivity to some substance. The substance may be in something the parson eats or it may be found in his surroundings.

Most often, persons are found to be sensitive to certain drugs,  chemicals and foods.

Certain substances given off by plants also cause eczema. As an t example, oils produced by poison oak and poison ivy cause a form of eczema when they come in contact with a person's skin. A person may not develop eczema unless he has been repeatedly exposed to a substance. But once he develops the allergy, cure is difficult so long as 'he is exposed.

Doctors test the sensitivity of persons to various substances to find the cause of eczema.

Treatment usually involves removing the cause.