Skin sensitization and food allergy

Food allergy affects 6–8% of children and 3% of adults in the US Skin is an important portal for sensitization to food antigens and food allergy is common in atopic dermatitis patients. A disrupted skin barrier plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of IgE-mediated food allergy by permitting epicutaneous sensitization and promoting a type 2 cytokine response to cutaneously encountered antigens. We discuss the epidemiologic and experimental studies supporting a crosstalk between the skin and the gut and highlight the crucial role of epicutaneous sensitization in the progression of food allergy. We also summarize current primary and secondary therapeutic approaches targeting skin barrier repair as an emerging food allergy prevention strategy and discuss future challenges.