Why Farm Kids Don’t Have Allergies But City Kids Do
By M. LaVora Perry on Jun 27, 2011 FYI Health TipKids who live in rural areas are 30 to 50 percent less likely to develop asthma or allergies than city kids.
Rural Children Have Fewer Allergies
If your child suffers with allergies and asthma, your family probably lives in a city, not on a farm. It’s not the city pollution that’s to blame either, in fact it’s the cleanliness
A 2011 report documents the results of two European studies that looked at the differences between city kids and farm kids when it comes to developing allergies and childhood asthma. The studies indicated that youngsters who live on farms are 30 to 50 percent less likely than their city cousins to develop asthma or allergies.
Germ-filled Mattresses
One study focused on children’s bed mattresses. Researchers found that the mattresses of kids who lived on farms were chocked full of a wide assortment of bacteria. City kids’ mattresses contained far fewer bacteria in comparison.
But when it came to asthma and allergies, the opposite was true. City kids had way more allergies and were much more likely to be asthmatic compared to those who lived on farms.
Microbe-Laced Bedrooms
The other study zeroed in on dust found in children’s’ rooms. Dust from farm kids’ rooms contained plenty of bacteria and fungus. Meanwhile, city kids’ rooms contained a lot fewer microbes in comparisons.
But, once again, the city kids experienced allergies and suffered asthma attacks to a much greater degree than those who lived on farms.
Based on these studies, researchers conclude that it’s beneficial to live in an environment that contains an assortment of “good germs,” microorganisms that help a child’s body develop resistance to allergies and asthma.
Prevention, Solutions
If you’re a city dweller and looking forward to having a baby, consider moving to a rural area before your baby’s birth. Or, if that’s not feasible, bring home a pet or two before your due date. Research suggests that having pets will introduce germs into your home that might keep your baby-to-be from developing asthma and allergies later on.
In addition, plan to allow your baby plenty of play time in parks where there are lots of trees, grass, flowers, and bushes so she can be exposed to the outdoors like farm children are.
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