SEAL Study: Preventing peanut allergy by protecting baby skin
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-11532533 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether using a skin-emollient and proactive skin steroids early in life can prevent peanut allergy in high-risk infants.
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 | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $205,350 |
| NIH project number | 3U01AI147462-07S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11532533 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Infants with early signs of dry skin or eczema within the first 10 weeks of life.
✕Less likely to help
Infants without early eczema or dry skin who do not fit high-risk criteria may not benefit.
What this research studies
The study enrolls newborns with signs of dry skin or eczema and follows them from early infancy to determine if a proactive skin care approach can lower the chance of developing peanut allergy. Participants are randomized to receive a simple emollient plus proactive topical steroids versus standard reactive care, aiming to reduce eczema severity and duration. The goal is to interrupt the skin-sensitization pathway described in the dual allergen exposure hypothesis, potentially lowering food allergy risk. Parents will receive guidance on skin care, monitor skin symptoms, and report any allergic reactions during the trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could substantially reduce peanut allergy risk in high-risk infants.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked early skin barrier health to allergy risk, with emerging evidence suggesting that proactive skin care may reduce sensitization in some populations.
Where this research is happening
-
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: 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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SEAL: Stopping eczema and allergy by protecting the skin in infants
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.
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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.