Being clean all the time may be worse for our allergies

by Brian White (Subscribe to Brian White's posts)
Sep 17th 2007 6:35PM

Regular exposure to bacteria and viruses is known to exercise our immune systems, as those that always protect themselves may not have the internal tools to fight something off when it comes.

When it comes to those nasty allergies, the same remains true. Recent research states that having too clean of an environment can be responsible for increasing allergy amounts in kids.

If, in fact, we are all living in cleaner places than we did in the past, the bodies of children are not receiving the necessary "workout" when it comes to fighting off the issues caused by allergens. Therefore, when those allergens cause problems, they are quite a bit more pronounced than with kids in the recent past, concluded the research.

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Comments (23)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

smdryad 9-17-2007 @ 9:49PM

Also, if you are using chemicals to clean your home the irritants may be leaving you more susceptible to allergies. Here is a page that explains the risks of using chemicals to clean and what alternatives are available. http://www.squidoo.com/safecleaning

Sandra Kelemen 9-24-2007 @ 8:55PM

I stopped using practically all my cleaning liquids and powders and substituted them with GREEN. It does the job, but I have to wear a mask when I spray with it. It clogs up my lungs. Wow! and I thought it supposed to be healthier. How can this be?

SJ 9-24-2007 @ 9:30PM

I find it true that cleaning products act as aggravators to my allergies. Simply walking down the cleaning aisle at a store will turn my nose red. What an indicator to say "stay away from chemicals". I am pleased to see so much effort to return to a normal way of living, but on the other side of that, chemical companies marketing of their clearly toxic chemicals as green or more natural is a cheap ploy even more aggravating than a post-nasal drip.

MJ 9-24-2007 @ 9:43PM

I clean with vinegar and peroxide mixed in a spray bottle. You can ingest vinegar safely and rinse your mouth with peroxide. So both are safe. They are absolutely effective cleaners and disinfectants. Besides a slight vinegar smell right after using, there are no side effects. And if you need to spot clean carpet or upholstery, peroxide diluted down in the vinegar takes a stain out.

Blondie 9-24-2007 @ 10:49PM

I don't buy this. Kids, and adults too, for that matter, get more than enough of the filth of the outside world to fulfill the alleged "requirements" for an immunity "workout." I have witnessed, personally, the shockingly outstanding benefits of living in a clean environment at home. Therefore, filth advocates know where they can go stuff their claims. I believe they are probably poisoning their bodies worse than they think and that allergies are most likely the least of their worries in the long-run.

P.S. Good helpful hint by MJ, thanks, now that was a valid and a good cleaning tip.

nolady123 9-24-2007 @ 11:18PM

I don't know if it's all true but I did have a friend once who was so clean, house wise, personal wise, kept her kids away from possible germs, etc. Her hands were raw all the time from washing. But her two kids were constantly sick. I happen to believe that being exposed to some dirt and germs does build up your immune system. And, I used to be a clean freak. I've settled down some but during my kids upbringing, I was a stay at home mom with a clean freak attitude but I wasn't afraid of a little dirt. My kids were never sick like my friend's were so I have to think that there could be a point that you can be clean too much and your body isn't able to fight off everything that comes your way. Some exposure to what the world has to dish out is probably a good idea. Small time exposure lets your body build up immunity. Just my take on that.

Jo 9-25-2007 @ 1:52AM

I agree with Blondie. My home is very clean. The bathrooms kitchen and family areas are tile, maintainence is a breeze. The bedroom windows are always open to various degrees and w live in northern New England. I think it's the fresh air that keeps us healthy. I change the beds twice a week as I love that crisp feeling and fresh smell.
Clean towels every day keeps that moldy smell to a minimum. Using baking soda and vinigar is a great natural house hold cleaner without being toxic to pets or children. To clean stains out of a carpet use soda water. Baking soda in the laundry makes whites whiter. A good book is Helpful Hints from Heloise.Wall to wall carpeting is the worst for anyone with alergies.

TC 9-24-2007 @ 11:34PM

A lot of evidence is coming to the conclusions that keeping things too clean can weaken the immune system. A little dirt is okay. It's ridiculous to claim this as "filth" based on one account. One account does not stand up to controlled scientific research so "stuff" that in a giant bottle of sterilizer.
I believe in cleaning cutting boards for food real well, I wash my hands after cleaning dog poop. However, I don't go around the house sterilizing each and every little thing like what has become so popular in our culture these days. My parents generation slept in cribs with lead paint. I come from the last generation before germaphobia became so popular and I drank from a water hose. Too much cleaning can end up killing more good bacteria than bad, which helps protect us against illness. Even from a non-scientific observation I have noticed an increasing amount of children having allergies. Although children get sick just as much as they use to their illnesses do seem more aggressive.
I follow these rules....
-Keep most clean where the most dangerous germs lie (this would be your kitchen counter, not your toilet seat)
-Wash your hands after using the bathroom or touching bodily fluids. However, there is no reason to wash hands after you touch another object.
-If your kid ate dirt he ate dirt.
-Sterilizing does not make up for a healthy diet

rose 9-24-2007 @ 11:42PM

You can make things too clean. I was one of 4 children, we did all the things kids did and got dirty in the process, visited my grandparents on farm, our outside playhouse was in the past a chicken coop. No allergies. None of my children developed allergies and believe me they got dirty, that is what soap and water are for. Now my one daughter-in-law, her child was not allowed to have a speck of dirt on it, she could only play with certain kids, no pets and when outside it was "don't touch that its dirty". Well quess what she has all kids of allergies. The other grandchildren were permited to play outside, get dirty and they are the healthier ones.

(^_^) 9-24-2007 @ 11:54PM

Another reason to bitch at the wife to clean the house more...

kat 9-25-2007 @ 12:10AM

I'm a slob. I admit it! My home has dust bunnies all over the place. I have old food containers lying around and the sunday paper from 2 weeks ago. Clothing is strewn about haphazardly and I haven't vaccuumed in months.
That said, I'm the healthiest person I know. My immune system is awesome (somehow!). I recover almost completely from colds within 3 days - and rarely get those colds to begin with. My kids are very healthy too and my oldest, 2 1/2 yr old, only ever had 1 ear infection and he's in daycare.
I can't say for sure if this is related. But my immediate family was always jealous of me for being so darn healthy. I can't necessarily attribute it to my disgusting slovenly habits. I just know that a lot of people go overboard trying to rid themselves of germs, and I see it as a subconscious effort to have some more control over life in an increasingly uncontrollable environment - does that make sense? Anyway there's my 2cents and then some.

CAROL BARLAGE 9-25-2007 @ 12:40AM

BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE I HAVE BEEN TO HOUSES THAT ARE SO DIRTY THAT EVEN WITH MY BAD EYE SIGHT YOU SURE CAN SMELLTHE DOG THE CAT AND THE CAT BOX AND PEOPLE ARE NOT CLEAN AS FAR AS THE HOUSE JUST THERE BODY SEEMS IMPORTANT. I HAVE ASTHMA AND NOW A;;ERGIES AND I THINK ITS BOTH THE REAL DIRTY AIR WE BREATH AND NOT VERY CLEAN HOUSING HABITS BY ALL IN THE FAMILIES NOT JUST THE MOM WHO IS BUSY BUT THE DAD THE KIDS NEED TO PUT THINGS AWAY SO YOU CAN AT LEAST DO A WEEKLY CLEANING OLDER AND WISER

Susie 9-25-2007 @ 2:16AM

When 'regular' household cleaners are used we are actually applying some pretty harmful chemicals to all sorts of surfaces inside our homes. So instead of cleaning we are creating chemical warfare. There are over 80,000 chemicals registered with the EPA but less than 20% have been tested for toxicity. Spending just 15 minutes cleaning a tub/shower and you could inhale 3 times the limit of glycol-ether. Under the average kitchen sink there are products containing ammonia, chlorine, phenol butyl cellosolve, and formaldehyde just to name a few.

The leading cause of poisoning with children is chlorine. It is deadly! With my new grandson crawling and putting about everything in his mouth I was frantic to find safer cleaning products for my daughter and myself. Something nontoxic and not petroleum based. I found the perfect solution and now am trying to educate others. In fact I have joined the company providing these safe alternatives.

a website to check out what is really inside your spray cleaner is http://www.householdproducts.gov. A real eye-opener to what is really inside those bottles and cans. They are dangerous and should not be used for any sort of cleaning. They leave toxic chemicals wherever they are used. I don't want to 'clean' something that says it is flamable and then watch my grandson pick it up and play with it.

I use the GET CLEAN Products that are safe, non-toxic, biodegradable, and can remove all the toxins left on surfaces by other cleaners. You don't have to breathe toxic fumes/gases and chemicals. How can the so-called cleaners be clean and safe if you can barely breathe while using? www.shaklee.net/susie

Susie 9-25-2007 @ 2:24AM

About usint vinegar and hydrogen peroxide...be careful, together they form peracetic acid. Below is information copied and pasted about this substance.

Re: peracetic acid -vinegar and hydrogen peroxide

The effect of the substance on human health.
Peracetic acid is an irritant of the skin, eyes, mucous membranes, and respiratory tract (NTP, 2000;
Budavari, 1996; Lenga, 1985). When heated to decomposition, it emits acrid smoke and toxic fumes of
carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The vapor is heavier than air and can travel a considerable distance
to a source of ignition and flash back (NTP, 2000).

While it is not rated as a carcinogen by itself (NTP, 2000), studies indicate that it is a possible cocarcinogen,
promoting tumor production by known carcinogens (Bock, Myers, and Fox, 1976, from abstract)."

It is effective and dangerous.

David A. Smith

sweets4tlr 9-25-2007 @ 3:17AM

I like to clean with tea tree soap. Tea Tree is a natural disinfectant it can also help clear up acne. Try this web site give alot of good uses and how to use it. Becareful around Cats I've heard it can make cats sick and even kill them if ingested or you wash the cats with it.

http://www.teatreeoiluses.com/household-cleaner.htm

Vivi 9-25-2007 @ 4:00AM

I don't bother cleaning to any extent anymore. Rinse off my dishes and put them in the dishwasher. Swab the vinyl in the kitchen with a swiffer (likewise the bathrooms), let the washer and dryer do the clothes and then go out and go shopping. The germs seem to stay away because there is nothing for them to get into in my place. They go bother someone else. Of course, I haven't any children to bring in the germs.

Patricia 9-25-2007 @ 6:50AM

I've always said that being to clean doesn't build up your immune system against what's out in the world. I am a year round sufferer and have taken herbs for my allergies for years to strengthen my own system. When it gets heavy on pollens then I turn to prescription medication until the air count drops. You only have one life to enjoy all the beauty around us and I plan on enjoying it to the fullest despite my allergies.

woofalayz 9-25-2007 @ 7:00AM

I believe this article can be correct to a degree, in the sense that we are overusing anti-bacterial products in the home.These products kill off bacteria etc but can produce resistant forms just as anti biotic overuse has caused.Triclosan, the most common ingredient in these products, from bodywash and soaps to even some toothpastes, actually produces chloroform when exposed to the chlorine in average tapwater....chloroform, as it turns out, is a known carcinogen.I personally refuse to buy any product containing this ingredient, as we are exposed to enough other carcinogens on a daily basis and i dont see a need to do so intentionally at home.Standard soap and water does the job, and if you are paranoid, use a little alcohol based hand sanitizer afterwards.And again, there really is no need for all these anti bacterial cleaners in an average household.

Jane 9-25-2007 @ 7:14AM

This is for poster "Kat"....Ewwww..gross! Are you not embarrassed to come on here and tell everyone how filthy your home is? It's not ALL about germs. Keeping a clean home gives a sense of well being. I love to come home to a fresh smelling tidy home. Just the thought of your food containers and not vacuuming in months is disgusting. Sorry. Don't use the immune system as an excuse. I haven't had a cold in years and years knock wood. I just think you're incredibly lazy. Your child will pick up your habits too!
I agree with the vinegar users. I also use newspaper instead of paper towels. They clean glass and mirrors so well. No streaks, no lint. Then when I'm all done cleaning, I put the oven on warm and put some cinnamin sticks in to create the most lovely scent in the air.
Come on Kat...get off the couch if you can find it and CLEAN!!!!!!