Abstract
Food allergy is postulated to originate from cutaneous sensitization
through a disrupted skin barrier, particularly in atopic dermatitis
(AD). Strategies for food allergy prevention currently centre around
early allergic food introduction, but there is now increasing evidence
for the role of early skin barrier restoration in the form of
prophylactic emollient therapy and early aggressive, proactive treatment
of established AD for food allergy prevention. Research gaps that remain
to be addressed include the type of emollient or anti-inflammatory
medication which confers the greatest efficacy in preventive or
proactive skin treatment respectively, the duration of therapy, and the
window of opportunity for these interventions.