Ramona Villalta, age 11, of Champaign, I11., for her question:

WHAT CAUSES ECZEMA?

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

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

Most often, persons are found to be sensitive to drugs, chemicals and foods. A person may not develop eczema unless he has been repeatedly exposed to a substance. But once he has developed 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 involves removing the cause.