ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) – It’s been called the “hygiene hypothesis” – all the scrubbing and wiping we do to keep germs at bay may instead interrupt the body’s natural defense systems. The research continues to look for a definitive link between the increase in allergies and the increase in anti-bacterial cleaning. But experts believe the lack of exposure to germs may leave children at higher risk for developing asthma, allergies, and other allergic conditions.
Anti-bacterial soap for our hands, antimicrobial cleanser for surfaces, and during COVID, Americans certainly upped their germ-cleansing game. But is there such a thing as too clean?
Pediatric allergist at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Stephen Dinetz, MD, explains, “What we’re seeing, right now, is definitely an uptick in both food and environmental allergies.”
“The hygiene hypothesis is a theory that with cleaner environments and antibacterial soaps, we are not getting exposed to the appropriate levels of allergens in the environment,” he further explains.
That means, especially for kids, their systems don’t have a chance to fight germs and build immunity. But is there a link between anti-bacterial cleaning, especially during COVID, and kids’ desensitization to germs and allergens?
“I definitely think it’s a valid concern,” Dr. Dinetz answers.
For now, Dr. Dinetz tells parents to let kids be kids and not allow a fear of germs to keep them from playing and interacting with others.
In addition to research in the U.S., Canadian researchers are studying the impact of the hygiene hypothesis during COVID on the human microbiome – the micro-organisms that live on the skin and in the gut – to determine if a decrease in the microbiome played a part in COVID infection. According to the CDC, the rate of food allergies has increased by 50 percent since 1997. Environmental allergies have been harder to track.
Contributors to this news report include: Cyndy McGrath, Producer; Kirk Manson, Videographer; Roque Correa, Editor.
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Sources:
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2010217118
https://www.uhhospitals.org/Healthy-at-UH/articles/2022/04/living-with-germs-has-its-upside
https://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/09/allergies-are-on-the-rise-and-here-are-three-reasons-why.html
MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS
RESEARCH SUMMARY
TOPIC: THE HYGIENE HYPOTHESIS: TOO CLEAN DURING COVID?
REPORT: MB #5113
BACKGROUND: While the pandemic made us more aware of germs and how to avoid them can you be too hygienic? Experts say, maybe! Some experts theorize that kids who are raised in extremely clean environment may be more likely to develop an allergy, asthma, and allergic skin conditions because their immune systems aren’t sufficiently exposed to germs and certain infections that kids can get. In general, it is wise to not be overly protective against bacteria and viruses that we encounter on a daily basis, and it is important to wash our hands before eating or touching our eyes or nose, but experts say parents should avoid going overboard.
(Source: https://www.uhhospitals.org/Healthy-at-UH/articles/2022/04/living-with-germs-has-its-upside)
DIAGNOSING: The hygiene hyposthesis has evolved as more sophisticated information emerges about the gut microbiome or how microbes that surround us are more diverse. Microbes can permeate our bodies and influence our health and the sophisticated tools that look at genetic signatures of various microorganisms now suggest that we are awash in microbes, and some are more harmful than others. But the hypothesis has not yet yielded much practical advice. One potential exception is the use of probiotics that reduces eczema in babies at a higher risk for allergies. Recently, the World Allergy Organization issued guidelines stating that pregnant women with allergies or asthma can consider taking probiotics.
PREVENTION: When COVID-19 was at an all-time high, the CDC recommended you wash your hands with soap and water after being in a public space or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Washing and sanitizing your hands a lot can leave your skin dry and or cracked so adding a good moisturizing lotion to the hand washing routine. Some experts suggest that increasing healthy habits like hand washing and sanitizing for a short period of time would not have a detrimental effect on a person’s immune system. Allergist and immunologist James Fernandez, MD, PhD, from the Cleveland Clinic says there’s no scientific evidence to suggest that temporarily stepping up cleaning is dangerous to immune health.
(Source: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-being-too-clean-weaken-your-immune-system/)
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