Video: Differential diagnosis of atopic dermatitis

The differential diagnosis of atopic dermatitis can be challenging.

The UK working criteria is generally applied and consist of one main and five minor features

The main is simply an itch has to be present within last 12 months along with one of the five minor features:

• Onset less than two years of age

• History of flexural involvement

• History of dry skin

• Family history of other atopic diseases

• Visible flexural dermatitis

One major or and three minor are needed for the diagnosis.

Also in the differential is allergic contact dermatitis which is based on the exposure history, dermatitis pattern, and a clinically relevant patch test.

The morphological characteristics can be identical so and eye on specific localization and a history of exposure should guide you in the direction of allergic contact dermatitis.