Kids who are overly hygienic appear to be at increased risk of developing wheezing -- a symptom of asthma -- and the allergy-related skin condition eczema.
The investigators found that children with the highest degree of personal hygiene -- those who washed their faces and hands more than five times per day, cleaned before meals, and bathed more than two times each day -- were the most likely to develop eczema and wheezing between the ages of 30 and 42 months.
The relationship between hygiene and allergies spanned different hygiene levels. As the level of hygiene increased, so did the risk of developing eczema or wheezing.
Increasing levels of hygiene appeared to be especially linked to a risk of developing severe eczema. In infants and young children, eczema manifests as intensely itchy, red patches that can ooze and crust over.
The link between hygiene and allergies is in step with the so-called "hygiene hypothesis" -- the theory that a lower exposure to germs affects the immune system's development in such a way that it is more prone to allergic reactions.
For example, previous studies have found that adults who had grown up on a farm were less likely to develop allergies, while young children exposed to older siblings at home and those who attend day care also have a lower risk of allergies and asthma.
Archives of Disease in Childhood June 2002;87:26-29
The Hygiene Hypothesis is a rather remarkable theory and quite contrary to the standard paradigm that all bugs are bad for us. It is one of the first inklings that traditional medicine is starting to understand the truth. Germs do not really cause the disease, but our weakened immune systems which allows them to get out of balance and trigger a series of reactions that can cause us harm.
Most of the time we are able to trace our illness back to one of the following:
If our immune system is working properly, it will actually use a mild infection as a natural immunization designed to help us prevent future disease. It is only when we rely on artificial substitutes, like drug-based immunizations, that we run into problems. Ten years ago 1 in 10,000 children had autism; now it is 1 in 250 and climbing rapidly.
The sooner we recognize this truth, the sooner we will wake up and adopt natural options to ward off this epidemic.
With respect to diet, there are two major contributors to illness, sugar and inadequate fish oil. Careful attention to these will radically improve you and your family's health.
You might also want to review my letter to the British Medical Journal that was published late last month.
Related Articles:
The Reason for Childhood Diseases "Hygeine Hypothesis" of Asthma Bacteria In House Dust May Help Prevent Allergies
The Reason for Childhood Diseases
"Hygeine Hypothesis" of Asthma
Bacteria In House Dust May Help Prevent Allergies