Summary: Prevention is crucial in order to counteract the rising trend of allergies. General recommendations, as promoted also in Germany, include the avoidance of tobacco smoke. High risk children may benefit from exclusive breast feeding (alternatively hydrolyzed formulas), delayed introduction of solid food and a reduction of exposure to house dust mite. The meaning of pets is discussed controversially at the moment and new promising candidates for prevention emerge (e.g. probiotics). There is a need for a systematic development of evidence-based recommendations.
