I read this article, Fight Against germs Fuels Allergy Increase, last night.

While I highly doubt this is an issue at my house, I think some valid concerns are raised.

How many of us are self described “germ freaks?” How many of us carry little bottles of Purell in our bags? Or have antibacterial everything in our homes? Does everything you use promise to kill germs and disinfect? Do you wear the Lysol in a hip holster?

From the constant use of anti-bacterial soap for dish- and to air-tight seals around doors and windows, some modern homes have become shrines to hygiene. Add vaccinations and antibiotics to the mix and the body’s immune system can get too much artificial reprieve from nature.

“The natural immune system does not have as much to do as it did 50 years ago, because we’ve increased our efforts to protect our children from dirt and germs,” McMorris said in a statement released this month.

I imagine it is sort like running a marathon. Without working out out and training in small doses you would never be able to handle the marathon itself. So if you shield your immune system from every little innocuous germ, it won’t be able to effectively fight off the bigger things, since it will be out of shape.

We’ve developed a cleanlier lifestyle, and our bodies no longer need to fight germs as much as they did in the past,” said Marc McMorris, a pediatric allergist at the University of Michigan Health System. “As a result, the immune system has shifted away from fighting infection to developing more allergic tendencies.

So, basically your immune system gets bored and has to find something to do. Interesting.

I am interested to see how these studies pan out over the long term. I wonder if there really is an increase in allergies or if it is just a perception of increase. Minor non threatening allergies were probably ignored. I can’t imagine people of my mother’s generation running to the doctor because they had a constant running nose or itching eyes. It was the depression era and they were more concerned with putting food on the table and surviving.

A few months ago I read an article that said scientists had determined that NOT making your bed was more healthy. Something about the lack of air circulation contributing to growth of germs or whatever.

Not sure I am going to let my children in on these studies. That would be all the incentive they would need to suddenly start telling me that they were doing our family a favor by not doing chores!