Medical algorithm: Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis in early childhood (part I)

Atopic dermatitis (AD, atopic eczema) is a chronic, relapsing, pruritic, non-communicable inflammatory skin disease that affects children and adults1 . It almost always has its debut in early life2,3 , therefore this medical algorithm focuses on diagnosis (part I) and therapy (part II4 ) of AD in early childhood, which is defined by UNESCO as 'the period from birth to eight years old'.