Shhh – for goodness sake don’t tell my kids but it might be okay to be dirty once in a while!
Picture source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucyroberts/2482178962/
I came across a recent post on Planet Green that discusses a theory that has fallen in and out of popularity throughout the generations.
It cites a studyconducted at the School of Medicine at University of California, San Diego, which found that expose to certain bacteria was desirable to stimulate natural healing processes. It went on to say:
Experts have also stated that the findings offer clear scientific support for the “hygiene hypothesis.” The hypothesis argues that exposure to bacteria and other germs early in life “primes” the body to resist allergens and helps kids develop a robust immune system later in life. Keeping kids clean, advocates say, prevents them for developing the resistances they need to become healthy adults.”
My Grandmother always used to subscribe to this theory. She always said “a little dirt isn’t going to kill you.” After all, she was raised in an era where heating the water for a bath, which was taken in an ancient washtub in front of the fire, wasn’t something that you wanted to repeat more than once a week.
It is something that my kids would wholeheartedly support – in fact they are probably the most water-conserving duo in history and would happily shower no more than once or twice a month if left to their own devices.
But I feel there is truth to this popular wisdom. I can remember lots of dirt under my fingernails as a kid and I guess I’m still here. I do think that there has been an over-zealous emphasis in some circles on cleanliness (not basic sanitation) but the obsession with smelling like the toiletry department of the local Wal-Mart is going a bit too far.
What do you think? Is cleanliness over-rated?
AiC – interesting post.
I’d heard of some research suggesting similar, i.e. exposure to dirt/grime/allergens keeps the immune system ticking over; the corollary being that sterility, over-cleanliness avoids these exposures resulting in an immune system that has few immune response battles & becomes overly sensitive to relatively normal levels allergens – hence the rise in child allergies. It’s an interesting theory, though from my brief reading seems like the jury’s still out.
yes but it does make sense when you think all vaccines are based on the same premise – exposure to the harmful element.
Angela in Canada´s last blog ..Climate Gate – Lock it up and throw away the key.
I too have heard of studies that say that exposure to dirt increases the immune system when we are children.
Clinically Clueless´s last blog ..World AIDS Day 2009
Either we’re getting cleaner or the germs are getting more resistant – or is it just a clever marketing ploy to part us with thousands of pounds on surface cleaners and hand sprays?
As someone who had a real obsessive compulsion with washing their hands – even to the point of not eating a ice cream cone at the seaside because i’d walked along the promenade holding the hand rail (told you it was obsessive)…. I do struggle to ignore dirt in general.
However, as a kid we were always down the farm fields in our playtime, making camps in dubious ditches and generally mucky and loving it.
Purple13´s last blog ..The Responsible personalised photo gifts company
The “germs” are actually adapting to the cleansers especially in using hand santitizers and antibiotics.
Clinically Clueless´s last blog ..World AIDS Day 2009
By the way I discovered that hand sanitizer really does a dandy job of removing permanent marker from counter tops. Hhmm imagine what it is doing to your skin?
Angela in Canada´s last blog ..Klimaforum09 : the alternative climate summit.
If we were 100% germ free, we would never develop I any type of resistance would we?????
I think and I emphasize the word think, because this is only my opinion…..germs are good to a certain degree…I was raised when the emphasis wasn’t as strong as it may be today and I honestly never, ever, ever get sick…maybe once a year at most and it’s very short at that…maybe my immunity is just good or maybe it was all the exposure as a little kid…..time will probably tell!
Mighty Morgan´s last blog ..Holes
Yes I agree – I never used to get sick before I had kids – which are little germ factories in themselves.
Angela in Canada´s last blog ..Klimaforum09 : the alternative climate summit.
A bit of soil doesn’t do anyone any harm in my book – helps the old immune system kick in, that and drinking perfume made from flowers!
yay now you’re talking. My eldest used to love making mud pies in the garden – and he even used to add worms, which he told me was the spaghetti topping!
He’s probably the healthiest kid I know now.
Angela in Canada´s last blog ..Klimaforum09 : the alternative climate summit.