Primary prevention

Evidence does not support specific maternal dietary interventions or allergen avoidance during pregnancy for prevention of atopic disease in children.

There is some evidence to suggest that dietary antigen avoidance by lactating mothers may reduce the severity of atopic dermatitis in infants, and reduce the risk of developing atopic dermatitis in children of high-risk women; larger trials are required.[39]

While probiotic treatment has been promoted as a preventive measure, the available data are of low or very low quality.[40][41][42]

One Cochrane systematic review determined that skincare interventions (e.g., emollients) utilized during the first year of life are unlikely to prevent atopic dermatitis in healthy infants, and may increase risk of skin infection and possibly food allergy.[43] [ Cochrane Clinical Answers logo ] ​​​​

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