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
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