Children should be allowed to play in the dirt
source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6630394/Children-should-be-allowed-to-play-in-t...
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- slagface
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Scientists have discovered that bacteria on the surface of the skin play an important role in combating inflammation when we get hurt.
The bugs dampen down overactive immune responses, which can lead to rashes or cause cuts and bruises to become swollen and painful.
The findings support previous research which suggests that exposure to germs during early childhood can prime the immune system to prevent allergies.
The so-called “hygiene hypothesis” has previously been used to explain why increasing numbers of children suffer allergies such as eczema and hay fever in more developed countries.
Parents Outloud, the pressure group, said the research provides scientific support for its campaign to prevent children being mollycoddled by health and safety regulations.
The number of children with food allergies has tripled in the past decade, with millions being diagnosed with severe immune system disorders, some of them potentially life-threatening.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6630394/Children-should-be-allowed-...
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nursediesel
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The germs you as an individual have on your skin is called normal body flora. And it does protect you to some extent. What's good for you on the outside is not good on the inside and vice versa.
My grandmother always said, "kids need to get some sunshine and some dirt, it's good for them".
She was right. I'll never forget the Christmas my mother and Dad took us all 5 of us to visit some relatives that had just moved back to the area. It was Christmas and we were all bundled up with hats, scarfs, gloves, heavy coats. When we got there the kids were running around inside and outside barefoot and dirty but you know not one of them had a snotty nose or were coughing and sneezing like we did as soon as we got into the house! I never forgot that. My mom was a nurse and meticulous in her housekeeping. We never were allowed outside without shoes (I hate wearing them still today).
We did play in the dirt and run in the woods so we got our share but that day really
sealed the difference in exposure to natural stuff in my mind. - 2 years ago
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nursediesel
