Are you obsessed with a house that is always clean and neat all the time? Although this is good, but a house that is too clean can actually cause babies more at risk of suffering from asthma and allergies later in life.
A study shows that exposure to a small amount of bacteria and allergens from certain animals can actually reduce the risk of wheezing and allergies.
Observing the Hygiene Hypothesis
The 'Hygiene Hypothesis' which was first coined by Prof. David Strachan in 1989 stated that exposure to germs and certain infections of children can help the development of the body's immune system. This condition makes the body learn to distinguish asthma triggers from things that are not harmful. Exposure to certain germs is thought to make the immune system not overreact.
In the study also mentioned that the immune system works similar to a baby's brain that needs to be stimulated, so that it can grow normally. Stimulation in the form of exposure to germs that makes the body can adapt and build its own immunity. When we try too much to sterilize the environment around babies to protect babies from the risk of disease, in fact we might actually rob them of the opportunity to build a strong immune system.
Recent research states, children who are exposed to animal hair or dust and have more frequent diarrhea before the age of two years are thought to reduce the risk of inflammation that causes certain diseases later in life, such as Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and heart disease. Infants exposed to bacteria from animals, especially in their first year of life, can also minimize the risk of wheezing and allergies.
Children who grow up in rural areas or with large families and farm animals are at lower risk for asthma and allergies. The risk of allergies is also shown to be smaller in children who grow up with relatives or who spend time with other children in daycare.
Conversely, children who stay at home too clean actually at risk of having allergies. Because, his body is not trained to be stimulated or do not have the ability to develop an appropriate response to the source of allergies. However, further research is still needed to prove how exposure to bacteria in children can prevent asthma.
Balanced cleanliness
The above hypothesis is often misinterpreted, so cleanliness is seen as something wrong. This fact makes some people blame obsession with cleanliness as one of the causes of the increasing number of people with asthma, allergies, and eczema over the last 20 years.
The best way is to maintain cleanliness but do not need to be afraid to excessively dirty. A clean house is still important to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses, such as E. coli or flu, it does not mean that the house and the environment must always be clean and free of germs.
You also don't have to always sterilize or wash everything. The most important thing is to maintain cleanliness at the right time and place, such as washing hands after urinating, taking out the trash, or before cooking food.
What can weaken the immune system?
There are several factors that can weaken the immune system and increase the number of allergies. Among them:
- Excessive use of antibiotics can reduce good bacteria in the body, thereby disrupting balance, the immune system, and the body's ability to distinguish good and bad germs. Inappropriate use of antibiotics can also cause a weakening of the immune system and the body's ability to fight infection. Be a wise parent by asking whether the doctor really needs to prescribe antibiotics for illnesses experienced by children or not.
- There are many other factors that determine the reasons children and adults can suffer from asthma, such as cigarette smoke, lack of exercise, food intake choices, and a family history of allergies. A healthier lifestyle, such as avoiding stress, smoking, and reducing alcohol consumption, also plays an important role in maintaining endurance.
As parents, we also should not ignore the habit of cleaning the house. However, that does not mean you have to make it too sterile. Keep doing the things that are usually done to maintain health, such as giving immunizations to children on time, not putting pets in the room, and cleaning the house regularly.
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