SEAL: Stopping eczema and allergy by protecting the skin in infants
Official title: SEAL (Stopping Atopic dermatitis and ALlergy) Study: Prevent allergy by enhancing the skin barrier
Funded at Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11406152 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large clinical study in early infancy tests whether using a skin barrier cream together with a gentle anti-inflammatory cream can reduce the chance of developing food allergies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 14, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,810,725 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI147462-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11406152 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Infants at high risk for eczema who show early signs of dry skin or eczema within the first 10 weeks of life, and whose families consent to participate.
✕Less likely to help
Infants without early eczema or with low risk profiles may not experience a direct benefit from this specific prevention approach.
What this research studies
This study enrolls high-risk infants in their first weeks of life to see if proactive skin care can prevent food allergies. Participants are randomly assigned to receive a combination of trilipid skin emollient and proactive topical steroids versus standard care, with the goal of reducing eczema severity and duration to prevent allergen sensitization. The trial is designed to follow infants through the early years to observe rates of peanut and other food allergies and related outcomes. It builds on previous work suggesting skin barrier health in infancy influences later food tolerance. If successful, this approach could offer a practical strategy for preventing food allergies from birth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, babies may be less likely to develop food allergies and eczema, improving long-term health and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research suggests skin barrier health and early skin care can influence allergy development, but this exact proactive combination is being tested.
Where this research is happening
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Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Mary — Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Mary
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Stopping Atopic Dermatitis and Allergy: Preventing Food Allergy by Protecting the Skin
A large study in infants at high risk for allergies tests whether using a skin barrier cream together with early, proactive skin care can prevent peanut allergy and other food allergies.
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SEAL Study: Preventing peanut allergy by protecting baby skin
This trial tests whether using a skin-emollient and proactive skin steroids early in life can prevent peanut allergy in high-risk infants.
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SEAL Study: Prevent allergy by protecting the baby’s skin
A very young group of high-risk babies will try a early skin-care plan to reduce eczema and prevent peanut allergy.
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Preventing eczema-related allergies by strengthening infants' skin barrier
This project will see if using a trilipid skin cream plus proactive mild topical steroids in infants with early dry skin or eczema lowers their chances of developing food allergies.
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Preventing food allergies by protecting babies' skin
This trial tests whether starting a trilipid moisturizer plus early gentle topical steroids for babies with dry skin or early eczema can lower their chance of developing food allergies.
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Preventing food allergy by strengthening babies' skin barrier
See if giving a trilipid emollient plus proactive topical steroid treatment to infants with very early dry skin or eczema can lower their chance of developing food allergies.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.