Excema is usually an allergic or autoimmune reaction. Other than having an angry immune system if you had undiagnosed MAI, I cannot explain why the two coincided. I would credit the cream from the pharmacy with helping before I would assume your MAI is improving.

If you were feeling anxious because you weren't feeling well, any little irritant or allergen could have caused the flare up. The anxiety that came with your diagnosis definitely caused more stress. And now that you have found answers to many of your questions, and a supportive community on Connect, perhaps both have lessened, allowing your body to heal.

PS My niece's eczema comes and goes with stress. We knew when her exams were coming in college because she would have a bad outbreak.

I'm glad you're doing better.