An epidemiological study of atopic eczema (AE), based on a semirural community in Scotland, using sound diagnostic criteria, has yielded prevalence data for all age groups including infants and adults. The overall 1-year period prevalence, age-standardized to the Scottish population, was 2.3%. The 1-year period prevalence was highest in the under 2s (9.8%), and showed a continuous reduction with increasing age. Over the age of 40, AE was found to be relatively rare, with a 1-year period prevalence of 0.2%. Adults over 16 years made up 38% of all patients with AE.