Objective Allergic diseases have increased dramatically in the developed world during the
past few decades, yet the understanding of risk factors and effective prevention approaches
remain limited. In this review, we summarize the evidence supporting the hypothesis that
skin-barrier impairment and early-life atopic dermatitis (AD) could play a causal role in the
development of sensitization and subsequent food allergies and allergic airways disease
(allergic asthma and rhinitis). We further discuss the potential to target the skin barrier as a …