clinical diagnosis of atopic eczema in a child

Last reviewed 10/2020

  • atopic eczema should be diagnosed when a child has an itchy skin condition plus three or more of the following
    • visible flexural dermatitis involving the skin creases, such as the bends of the elbows or behind the knees (or visible dermatitis on the cheeks and/or extensor areas in children aged 18 months or under)
    • personal history of flexural dermatitis (or dermatitis on the cheeks and/or extensor areas in children aged 18 months or under)
    • personal history of dry skin in the last 12 months
    • personal history of asthma or allergic rhinitis (or history of atopic disease in a first-degree relative of children aged under 4 years)
    • onset of signs and symptoms under the age of 2 years (this criterion should not be used in children aged under 4 years)

Notes:

  • in Asian, black Caribbean and black African children, atopic eczema can affect the extensor surfaces rather than the flexures, and discoid (circular) or follicular (around hair follicles) patterns may be more common
 

Reference:

  1. NICE (December 2007).Atopic eczema in children Management of atopic eczema in children from birth up to the age of 12 years