Diagnosing atopic eczema
Eczema is diagnosed clinically – there is no biochemical test. A diagnosis of eczema is made if the patient has itchy skin plus three or more of the following:
- Onset before two years of age
- History of dry skin
- History of eczema in the skin creases (and also the cheeks in children under 10 years of age)
- Visible flexural eczema (inside elbows, behind knees or on cheeks, forehead and outer limbs in children under four years of age)
- Personal history of other atopic disease (or history of any atopic disease in a first-degree relative if the child is less than four years of age).
Eczema can vary considerably in severity and frequency of flare-ups. It can have a profound impact on quality of life.
