So your eczema has decided to play nice for once, leaving you semi-eczema free. Well, sort of. Welcome to the afterparty; where your battle-hardened skin is now sporting a trendy camouflage of colored patches- the ghostly remainders of your eczema skirmish. Frustrating? Totally. Permanent? Hell no.

As a wise dermatology Padawan, Marisa Garshick, MD, from Weill Cornell Medical Center and MDCS Dermatology in the Big Apple puts it, your annoying skin discolorations are just "tourists". Yes, tackling them may seem like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole but eventually, they'll scram.

If your mental math is in good shape, you've probably rounded "eventually" to a potential timeline of several weeks or months where you may play the unwilling host to these irritating marks. But hey, when has a good fight gone without battle scars?

So how did your skin decide to suddenly play Picasso on you? The culprit? Inflammation, eczema’s invisible partner in crime. It can cause bumpy skin patches, and the pigmented aftermath. When your skin decides to tan a bit too much in these areas, it's called Hyperpigmentation. If the local skin cells decide to put their melanin supply on a diet, the result is Hypopigmentation.

Dermatologists might suggest simple strategies like exfoliation, moisturizers, and oleic acid products, or even wean you off topical steroids, which could turn your skin's pigmentation drop a permanent affair.

And then, there's the prevention game. Beware of heavy fragrances, needle-prickly fabrics like wool, nylon, and polyester, and the good ol' sun which can further mess with your skin's pigmentation balance.

The key to winning the hyperpigmentation war is to keep your eczema in check. Your weapons of choice might include injectable medications, oral inflammation battlers, topical treatments, light therapy, and moisturizers.

If you're wrestling with eczema-induced pigmentation, have a heart-to-heart with your dermatologist. It's tricky to evict pigmentation as compared to eczema, but don't worry, the pros know their stuff.

Remember, while it's frustrating dealing with the pigmented ghosts of eczema past, it's strictly a temporary offense. With the right strategy and keeping the health bullsh*t at bay, you're on your way to healthier, post-eczema glory. So take on the long-term game, because your skin's definitely worth it.