This occurs when the skin comes in contact with an irritant, such as detergent. The causes of all types of eczema are not fully understood. Some types of eczema are thought by some to be as a result of a disorder of the immune system. See section 2.3 for a description of various types of eczema and their causes. This depends on the type of eczema.
Babies grow out of infantile seborrhoeic eczema.
Irritant eczema will usually subside when exposure to the irritant is discontinued. Other types of eczema can last for many years, or for life, and there is no cure although there is much that can be done to manage the condition. Each person has to find the treatment and lifestyle which work best for them. See section 2.3.1 . The most common complication is infection of the affected areas.