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Diagnosis of a child’s eczema can be difficult because children tend to experience many different skin conditions that can be mistaken for eczema (e.g., psoriasis).

To diagnose eczema, a physician will perform a complete physical examination and compile a thorough medical history. A family history of eczema, allergies or asthma may be an important clue to the presence of eczema in a child. The physician may also inquire about environmental factors potentially at the root of a child’s skin rash. For example, a parent may be asked whether the child’s clothes are being washed with a new brand of laundry detergent, which could cause skin irritation. Recent stresses in the child’s life also may be a source of irritation.

Eczema is usually diagnosed if three conditions are present:

• Characteristic scaly rash
• Intense itching
• Personal or family history of asthma, hay fever or other allergies

However, other tests may also be performed. For example, a physician may refer a child to an allergist for testing that exposes a patient’s skin to various substances to determine if any of the substances inflame the skin, which would be characteristic of contact dermatitis. Allergy testing may occasionally be necessary to identify allergens that may trigger atopic dermatitis.

In addition, parents may be asked to make certain lifestyle changes for a specific period of time. These may include eliminating certain foods from the child's diet and changing brands of detergent or soap. This often enables parents and physicians to determine whether a child is reacting to a certain substance.