Hill1 in his classification of infantile eczema listed the following types: (1) atopic dermatitis, (2) seborrheic dermatitis, (3) contact dermatitis, (4) eczematous fungous infections and (5) erythroderma desquamativum (Leiner's disease).
Although we have seen all these eruptions in infants it has been our clinical impression that infantile eczema is of the atopic type in about 90 per cent of the cases. It is true that seborrhea may be associated with and even mask atopic dermatitis, but through careful study the role of atopy becomes apparent. It is here that the determination of causative factors and their removal are most likely to yield gratifying results—vast improvement or even complete cure. The following accepted criteria of atopy are commonly well fulfilled in these cases:
1. A family history of atopy (hay fever, asthma, infantile eczema).
2. Absence of a personal history of other atopic disturbances, since the infantile eczema is the