Dirty is Healthy?

Dirty is Healthy?

It has been discussed and agreed upon by over-protective, safeguarding parents, that their children must be maintained in a healthy and clean environment to keep from being at risk of any germ threatening illnesses. Children are frequently sick with many common diseases, from colds to chickenpox; therefore, children's immune systems are said to be "weak." However their bodies have not been given a chance to build up immunity. Since children are being threatened with germs and diseases that are ready to attack a young child's immature immune system, we can see why parents want to have the up most control. Although, in all actuality, this kind of paranorma can affect a child, putting them at greater risk in the future. The consulting firm, EcoMatters, tells us, "The fact is dirt and bacteria are natural, triclosan and surfactants, toxic ingredients in many conventional soaps, are not." Today scientists have tested and proven this bold statement through research of the "Hygiene Hypothesis."

The Hygiene Hypothesis is the absence of exposure to infectious parasites and microbes in early stages of childhood, preventing the immune system natural growth and development. Chronic diseases such as autoimmune diseases, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and some research points possibly to autism, are elevating through undeveloped immune systems in our young people today. The knowledge that germs can actually be good for us is essential for the prevention of present and possible illnesses. The Indoor Air Journal professes that, "Just one person in a room adds 37 million bacteria to the air every hour." Do not let this cause fear, because there is a solution: where bacteria thrive, bodies survive!

Microbes used to be considered mankind’s enemy. In actuality, bacteria are just as essential as body organs, and natural as well. Bacteria develop the immune system to help us stay healthy. Essentially, to go without bacteria is to go without the immune system. They both need each other to stay stabilized thus, preventing illness. Studies show that larger families or pets placed around a child gives the child exposure to microbes and germs. In today's society families are growing smaller with less bacteria exposure. There is also less exposure due to clean lifestyle” practice of sealing environments. There is a whole world of "harmful" things that are helpful to be around everyday, that are both indoors and outdoors, when we leave our homes, and when we play with our pets (e.g., dust, pollen, mold, mites, and more.) Immune systems need to be introduced to these foreign substances or, eventually, the body will react in a very unpleasant way through allergies or worse.  McMorris, a pediatric allergist at the University of Michigan Health System, tells us, "Allergies are on the rise because our society has changed the way we live.  As a result, people with allergies are having childred with others who have allergies, which in turn creates a natural increase in the prevalence of alleries in our society."  The Hygiene Hypothesis is a serious problem  that has accumulated over the last ten years.  The current generation must deal with this progressing situation and is time to become aware.

Works Cited:

Lance, Jennifer. "Hygiene Hypothesis Proven True: Dirt Is Naturally Good for Kids." Hygiene Hypothesis Proven True: Dirt Is Naturally Good for Kids. N.p., 21 Dec. 2009. Web. 02 Oct. 2012. http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/12/21/hygiene-hypothesis-proven-true-dirt-is-naturally-good-for-kids/.

"Hygiene Hypothesis." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Jan. 2012. Web. 02 Oct. 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygiene_hypothesis.

Jennifer, Lance.  "More Reason to Go Outside: “ONE PERSON ADDS 37 MILLION BACTERIA TO A ROOM”." One More Reason to Go Outside: “ONE PERSON ADDS 37 MILLION BACTERIA TO A ROOM”. N.p., 29 Mar. 2012. Web. 04 Oct. 2012. http://ecochildsplay.com/2012/03/29/one-more-reason-to-go-outside-one-person-adds-37-million-bacteria-to-a-room/.