Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis

The importance of a diagnosis

It is important to establish that it is precisely atopic dermatitis that you suffer from. Only then can you get the right help. The diagnosis is made by a doctor, whose assessment is based on his examination of you, your symptoms and your medical history.

Have you already been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis? Find out how severe your eczema is by doing a self-assessment test. The POEM (Patient Oriented Eczema Measure) test is used by dermatologists today.

Take the test here

Do you suspect you have atopic dermatitis? Contact your doctor, or ask for a referral to a dermatologist. The diagnosis is usually based on several different factors, such as medical history, the doctor's clinical examination of you and an allergy investigation. You will also be asked a number of questions, such as:

• Does the skin itch?

• Have you ever had eczema in the folds?

• Have you had asthma or a pollen allergy?

• Has your skin been dry in the past year?

• Do you have visible eczema in typical areas, such as in the creases, or for children under four, on the cheeks and forehead and the outside of the legs and arms?

• Did your rash start before age two?

Although atopic eczema is a chronic disease that cannot be cured, today there are several treatments that can relieve and reduce the symptoms.