Summary and Guidelines

This chapter summarises the key messages of the preceding chapters to provide an overview of the current knowledge base on the prevention of allergy and allergic asthma. Our present knowledge suggests that good progress has been made in our understanding of the underlying principles of prevention of allergy and allergic asthma, and that some prevention strategies can be effective in preventing symptoms or reducing their severity. Major questions remain regarding the prevention of IgE sensitisation, and whether exposure to allergens can be protective or pathogenic, depending upon the time course of allergen exposure in relation to immunological maturity. Much work remains to be done before further firm recommendations can be made. Recommendations are made for research strategies which may help progress the important areas of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention and thus improve patient care.