[Prevention of allergy]

The increase in prevalence and morbidity of allergic disease requires more employment of prevention strategies. The time of manifestation, severity and clinical course of atopic disease are primarily determined by genetic factors. TH1 and TH2 cell behaviour may in the future be used as predictors of atopy. A great number of environmental influences, like exposure to allergens and adjuvant trigger factors are modulating the clinical course. Sensible strategies of prevention in high-risk-families, as breastfeeding, hydrolysed hypoallergenic formula and maternal food avoidance during pregnancy or lactation are discussed.