Exposure To Dirt And Germs Increases A Child’s Immunity

Early exposure to dirt, germs and microorganisms shapes a child’s immune system and endocrine system.

Exposure to germs and microorganisms in early childhood is good for children, as it helps in the development of the immune system, reveals a new study.

Providing ultra-clean environment to your kids may be bad as a study reveals that no early exposure to dirt and germs increases the instances of eczema, asthma, hay fever and childhood diabetes.

Cavity-Causing Germs are Contagious and can be Transferred from Mother to Child
A new study conducted by American researchers reveals that tooth decay is one of the most chronic childhood diseases.

‘Early exposure to microbes shapes the immune system, endocrine system, and even aids in neurodevelopment of the child.’

Without early exposure to dirt and germs, the immune system does not learn how to control foreign agents, thus increasing their instances of eczema, asthma, hay fever and childhood diabetes.

In fact, today's children are too clean for their own good, argue researchers John Gilbert and Rob Knight.

Dr Gilbert explained that once humans understood that microbes causes disease, there has been an attempt to rid our bodies from any type of fungi, virus or bacterium. However, the increase in hygiene practices boiling water and pasteurizing milk has helped ward off a number of diseases and deaths, negative consequences are suffered by children who grow up in too clean of a home.

Cigarette Smoke and Its Components Make Germs More Resilient
The mouth is one of the dirtiest parts of the body, home to millions of germs. Bacteria can form biofilms on teeth, heart valves and the respiratory tract.

"We've deliberately separated ourselves for reasons of comfort and reasons of fear of disease," said Dr Gilbert to The New York Times.

A 2016 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine compared the immune systems of children, who grew up on small single-family farms to those who were similar genetically, but grew up on large, industrialised farms. The results revealed that single-family farm kids, were living in environments described as 'rich in microbes,' or full of barnyard dust, had very low rates of asthma.

Antibacterial Soaps not as Effective as Regular Soaps in Killing Germs
The chemical agent ‘triclosan’ in antibacterial soap can only become effective after microbes are steeped in the stuff for nine hours.

Dr Gilbert pointed out the fact that not only does early life exposure to microbes shape the immune system, but also the endocrine system, and even the child's neurodevelopment.

"It's best to educate parents about the types of natural exposure that would be most helpful in immune system development given the specifics of their children and their communities," suggested Dr Gilbert.

Germs in Your Gut Keeps You Healthy: Study
When it comes to fighting off pathogens like Listeria, your best allies may be the billions of microorganisms that line your gut, suggests a new study.

Source-ANI