Moisturize

• If you're prone to outbreaks of eczema, moisturizing is a daily necessity. Use an over-the-counter cream such as Eucerin, Nivea, Cetaphil or Lubriderm immediately after bathing to trap moisture in the skin. An ointment such as Aquaphor may be more effective for extremely dry skin. Select a moisturizer with one or more of the following ingredients: butylenes glycol, cetyl alcohol, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, mineral oil, panthenol, petrolatum, prolipids, propylene glycol, silicone, stearyl alcohol, tocopheryl acetate.
  
  

Bathing

• Bathe quickly with lukewarm water, and pat the skin dry.
  
  Avoid harsh soaps, perfumed products, bubble baths, hot water and lengthy baths or showers. Do your best to avoid contact with the skin when rinsing shampoo. Use a mild soap such as Dove, Carress or Neutrogena, which helps retain the skin's moisture. A soap substitute, such as Cetaphil, Spectro Derm, Lipikar Syndet or Seaquanil, may be necessary for severe eczema. Use oatmeal or emollient bath oils toward the end of a lukewarm bath. After bathing, gently pat the skin dry, rather than rubbing.
  
  

Medication

• Depending on the type of eczema you have, your dermatologist may recommend a variety of medication options, including topical anti-itch creams and hydrocortisone, antibiotics or antihistamines, such as Benadryl, to control itching. Your dermatologist may elect to switch medications continually, as medication that once managed your eczema may be less effective as your body becomes accustomed to it. Light therapy is another effective treatment option and includes phototherapy, narrow band UVB and PUVA.
  
  

Avoid Triggers

• About 40 percent of children with eczema will outgrow their condition by the time they reach young adulthood, according to EczemaNet. For those who don't, the aforementioned treatment options may control symptoms of eczema. However, the key to curing the condition is to identify and avoid its root cause. Common causes include stress, air-borne allergens, food allergies and skin irritants such as soaps, cosmetics, detergents, fabrics and jewelry. Anything that causes sweating may also aggravate the condition. Keep bedrooms cool and use a humidifier when using central heating. Maintain a record of your diet, weather changes and exposure to irritants to identify which factors trigger your symptoms, and do your best to avoid them.