We’ve always believed that a clean house means a healthy house. But now, researchers are saying that a little bit of dirt can help reduce kids’ risk of allergies and asthma.
According to a study from the University of Cincinnati, exposure to indoor fungal molecules, commonly found in carpets and on floors, during early life can strengthen immune systems and protect against allergies. So, delaying “spring cleaning” might be just as good for your baby’s long-term physical health as it is for your short-term mental health.
Lead author of the study, Yulia Iossifova, explains, “If you keep your house too clean, you don’t provide the microbial components to stimulate the immune system.”
In a study of 574 infants at risk for allergies, researchers found that babies exposed to high levels of “fungal glucans” and “bacterial endotoxins” were nearly three times less likely to wheeze than those in more sanitized environments.
This groundbreaking study, funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, is the first to link early life mold exposure to stronger immune systems.
However, the beneficial effects seem to only apply to children, as Iossifova explains, “Whether you’ll be susceptible to allergies later in life depends on immune development during pregnancy and the first few years of your life.”
The findings of this study also suggest that parents who go overboard with antibacterial sprays may be doing more harm than good. Sharon Moalem, a neurogeneticist and researcher, warns against maintaining a sterile environment, stating, “You don’t want your kid licking the floor in Grand Central Station, but most parents today are definitely going overboard.”
While it’s true that there are harmful germs that can pose a danger to humans, scientists are discovering that many “germs” are beneficial. Moalem explains that when babies crawl on dirty floors or put less-than-sanitary objects in their mouths, their bodies go through a biological boot camp that trains their immune systems to identify harmful and harmless substances.
Overall, this research is good news for busy households. With less time for housekeeping, once kids come into the picture, it’s reassuring to know that a little dust might be beneficial for their health.
So, next time you see a layer of dust on the bookshelf or crumbs on the floor, remember that it’s all part of the immune system boot camp for your little ones.
