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.
Treatment is by application of antibiotic cream or lotion or by oral antibiotic.
The risk of infection can be reduced by keeping the skin and hands clean, by preventing the skin from drying out so as to avoid itching and scratching, and by bathing with a medicated bath oil.