I have been off topical steroids for a couple months now and my eczema has returned an d also a new symptom red raised hot welts that All I have to do is touch my skin sometimes in areas I have not had eczema and they just appear in a large area or an area I have scratched. I was on and of topical steroids for about a year and a half wit sometimes a month at a time. Ehen it came back the derm just said go back on the steroids, and last time said if it returns just use the protopic.