New research proves that the more germs a child is exposed to during early childhood, the better their immune system in later life
A recent study completed by researchers at the School of Medicine at the University of California found that being too clean could impair the skin’s ability to heal. The research gives gravitas to the “hygiene hypothesis”, first proposed in the 1980s, which suggests that early childhood exposure to bugs might “prime” the immune system to prevent allergies. It has been used to explain why increasing numbers of children in developed countries, where antibacterial sprays and wipes are common, suffer from allergies such as hay fever and eczema. One in three people in Britain suffer from allergies according to research conducted by the charity Allergy UK has found.
The San Diego-based team of researchers, led by Professor Richard Gallo, discovered that normal bacteria that live on the skin trigger a pathway that helps prevent inflammation when we get hurt. These bugs dampen down overactive immune responses which can cause cuts and grazes to swell or lead to rashes. Gallo claims that the common bacterial species, known as staphylococci, which can cause inflammation when under the skin, are “good bacteria” when on the surface, as they can reduce inflammation. By studying mice and human cells, researchers discovered that staphylococci reduce inflammation by making a molecule, called lipoteichoic acid (or LTA), which acted on keratinocytes, the main cell types found in the outer layer of the skin.
Gallo hails the research as important because it provides a molecular basis for the understanding of the “hygiene hypothesis”, which may assist in the development of new therapeutic approaches for inflammatory skin diseases.
Margaret Morrissey, spokeswoman for pressure group Parents Outloud, said: “Parents have become so paranoid about their children playing outside and getting dirty that today’s youngsters are not enjoying a proper childhood. You cannot blame parents for this because they are constantly bombarded with advertising telling them they have to buy antibacterial products to keep their children clean and healthy. However, hopefully research like this will help parents realise that it’s natural and healthy for children to get outdoors and get mucky and that it doesn’t do their health any harm.”
Sue Palmer, children’s campaigner and author of the book Toxic Childhood, added: “Clearly parents need to make sure their children are hygienic, but wrapping them up in cotton wool and not allowing them exposure to germs is just as damaging.”
Sources:
Guardian.co.uk
Parentsoutloud.com
News.bbc.co.uk
