Many of us spent our childhoods jumping in muddy puddles, climbing trees and scratching our knees. Experts are worried that today's kids, however, are more prone to illness and allergies because of our "obsession" with cleanliness and germ avoidance. This theory is known as the "hygiene hypothesis".
The Hygiene Hypothesis
The theory suggests a child's environment can be too clean to adequately build his or her immune system. The child's immune system should be exposed to a range of "threats" as it matures, so it can adequately respond to germs and other nasties. If the immune system isn't challenged early on in its development, the child may develop a range of immune-related conditions such as asthma and allergies.
Are Our Cleanlier Lifestyles to Blame?
While keeping clean can help prevent the spread of germs, it seems our super-clean homes aren't all that great for our kids.
According to Marc McMorris from the University of Michigan Health System, our cleaner lifestyles have weakened our immune systems.
"Our bodies no longer need to fight germs, as much as they did in the past. [So] the immune system has shifted from fighting infection to developing more allergic tendencies."
With advances in vaccinations, our immune systems are also no longer tasked with fighting fatal diseases such as polio. The availability of antibiotics has also let it off the hook when it comes to fighting infection.
Inside the home, airtight windows prevent many indoor allergens.
Interestingly, a rise in allergies could also be attributed to today's smaller family. In the past, when families were larger, children were exposed to more germs and viruses. Now, however, kids have less exposure to infections.
A Little Dirt Doesn't Hurt
The advice from experts is that common sense has a place in keeping our kids healthy. McMorris advises letting kids play in the dirt and come into contact with germs.
Of course, our homes should still be cleaned regularly to prevent the development of mould and other allergens. But relaxing the rules a little could help our kids in the long run.
Originally published on Jul 08, 2013
