A simple system for baseline grading the severity of atopic dermatitis in clinical work, is presented. The grading, which may be carried out on the basis of one single consultation, permits distinction between mild, moderate and severe atopic dermatitis by means of a score summation using the following parameters: 1) extent (by "rule of nine"), 2) course (via history) and 3) intensity (disturbance of night's sleep by itching).