I also use cortisone. Mine also says not to use after 7 days, but it's the only thing that helps so i have to use it. 0.5% isn't really that strong, so don't go higher than that for long-term use. I put up a post a while back regarding cortisone, click on the link below :

//www.curezone.org/forums/m.asp?f=7&i=204

You can stop the spreading of eczema by giving more attention to the skin and its needs, rather than the symptom (the itchy rash). Eczema is dehydrated skin. The moisture barrier (your skin's protecter against harmful irritants) is depleted; therefore making you more susceptible to breakout (allergic reactions). It is imperative that you attack the whole when treating eczema, not just the part (symptom). Focus on the internal, external, and foreign and you will find immediate, longterm success. Build up your immune system, moisturize the skin, and identify the allergens. DRINK WATER!!! Your skin is thirsting for water. MOISTURIZE IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOU SHOWER TO RETAIN THE MOISTURE.

Steroid products eat away at the skins epidermis, causing more harm than good. Long term use of these products aren't recommended for that reason. There is a new 100 percent organic cream called Ecze-Mate that has been FDA approved and clinically tested to produce immediate results within the first week. It is safe for long term use because it doesn't produce harmful side effects. The Derma-Therapy clinic in Bethesda, Maryland boasts a 97 percent success rate in their treatment of adults and 100 percent success rate in their treatment of children with eczema. The cream costs $44.00 and can be ordered through their toll free number, 1-866-329-3628.

My family has a history with eczema. My mother has suffered with it all of my 36 years. When my 3 month old niece suffered a severe breakout (total body), there was no way that I was going to sit back and watch her suffer with creams and steroids that caused more harm than good. I researched the skin and found out how it worked, what it needed and replenished the skin with natural products that worked with it to heal it, not against it. I purchased a natural lotion for sensitive skin of all ages (Burt's Bees Baby Bee Buttermilk Lotion), and in two weeks my niece was totally healed. At 2 years old, she is still eczema free. The lotion is a daily part of my family's moisturizing regimen. Everyday, especially for eczema sufferers, your skin needs to be moisturized. That's why it is imperative that you use natural/organic products that are safe for long term use. My mother still suffers all these years because she refused to take care of the whole. The only water that my mother drank was spelled PEPSI, OR SPRITE. My nieces are healed; yet, my mother still suffers. Despite the fact that she saw the healing in my nieces, she still suffers because I'm not a doctor and my word means nothing. Hers started in the hands first. Now it has spread to the rest of her body. True wisdom learns from the mistakes of others.

I have suffered from eczema for 25 years (since baby).
It has been mild when I was young. Just a few years of bandaged feet (when it oozes and weeps and infected). In my country, medical information is scarce and doctors just prescribe without informing the patient of potential side-effects. Most of the time I do not know what I was prescribed with.

Things worsen after I started to work in the industry. I observed that the abrupt change of temperature indoors and outdoors itches at night. Also, I notice that some food like eggs, nut, fish, prawns (seafood with lots of protein), milk etc etc are potential allergen. Also, try to observe your whereabouts. Change your linens to dustmite-free products. And, most of all moisturize the skin as often as possible. I'm taking Zyrtec and clorytine and a kind of pink/white tablets (dont know what they are). I swapped btw prescription because I observed that they become ineffective over time. A doctor gave me steroid injection which give immediate results but after reading about steroid side-effect in the website, I tried to avoid such treatment (the doctor is mad because of that). Another doctor prescribed steroid cream. I normally use it for few days and stop for awhile despite the rashes and itches that persists.

I found this website that talk of a remarkable cream:
http://www.eczemasite.com

I would like to try it out if they are available locally.

Dear,
I’d like to describe a little bit different way how to treat health or skin problems.
I suffered from atopic eczema all my childhood. My mom tried everything possible to help me, but nothing worked. I went to see many doctors, tried every cream or pills with no results. I remember my mom how desperately she tried. One day I don't know why, but I went to see a healer who came to my town once a month to help people. Believe or not. The eczema what I was suffering from for 18 years was gone within few weeks. I learned at that time, that skin is only a mirror of my organism. The problem on the skin is just a demonstration of some of your organ problems. Skin problem is just one way how to let you know about that.
But anyway, when I was 20 years old I started to travel to different countries. Never had problems with my skin until I came to USA 5 years ago. I was OK for 4 years but last year I got severe eczema again. Except my face I had it everywhere.
I tried everything possible for few months, with no results at all. I decided to search for alternative help again. I got in touch with Mr. Gellner who was claiming he can treat any health problem over the distance by meditation. And he was saying that he was successful in 99% of all eczema cases so far .First I didn't believe it and was fighting with that problems for another months. Than I said to myself, I don't need to risk anything, if I'm going to try and I did. 5 months was nothing happening at all. On the 6th month my bad eczema disappeared within one week and never came back again. His treatment is very unusual but has the best advantage what nobody else can offer. You pay after you see the results. You can just give it a try and wait till it comes. From the time I got fixed from him, I started to promote his healing method around the world. It is not about money, but about helping to other people, because I know how people with eczema can feel in our society. The web page is www.healer-cz.com You can ask by e-mail what ever you might need to know or you can call me on my cell in USA 937-672-3935