Diagnosing atopic eczema

Your GP will usually be able to diagnose atopic eczema by assessing the skin and asking questions about your symptoms.

These questions may include:

• whether the rash is itchy and where it appears
• when the symptoms first began
• whether you have flare-ups of severe symptoms  
• whether there is a history of atopic eczema in your family
• whether you have any other conditions, such as allergies or asthma

Tell your GP if your condition is affecting your quality of life, for example if you have difficulty sleeping because of itching or it is limiting your daily activities.