Should you allow your child to play in dirt?
PARENTS often complain that children are losing out on the value of the outdoors and are being absorbed instead in virtual reality. But while this seems to concern many parents, some prefer this to the idea of their children being soiled by dirt while playing outside, out of fear that they could come in contact with harmful creatures, bacteria and viruses.
But will a little dirt really harm anyone? Or could it actually be beneficial to building immunity?
“Dirt is a complex medium that contains minerals, organic materials such as bacteria, fungi and protozoa, and inorganic matter and debris,” explained Dr Anona Griffith, paediatrician at Gateway Plaza, Old Harbour. “Some of these substances may be harmful or pathogenic to humans.”
She pointed out that the debate as to whether or not playing in dirt strengthens the immune system or contributes to decline in health continues to find favour in the arms of the latter.
“Playing in dirt has become topical on the basis of the “hygiene hypothesis”, which proposes that a lack of exposure to germs and maintaining an environment that is overly clean can limit the development of resistance to disease by the human body,” Dr Griffith explained.
But she said in research, no notable difference in the rates of allergy and asthma among children exposed to very clean conditions versus less clean conditions was found. She was quick to point out that the findings could be misleading if other factors that affect immunity are not considered.
Using as an example the immune system of the baby, which she describes as a blank canvas, Dr Griffith explained that as one tries to understand whether or not playing in dirt strengthens the immune system, it must be noted that life exists as a delicate interaction between its various components, and therefore health has always been a balance between human beings and their surroundings. She said that when one element of the whole becomes dominant, it disrupts equilibrium and synergy and can bring about undesirable results.
“The immune system of a baby can be considered as a blank canvas and whereas it is true that exposure over time to various environmental conditions helps in its maturity, that is only a part of the story. However, there is more than one component to immunity — including that which is innate to the individual and passed on to baby by mother, and one that is built by exposure. The end point is that both must function in order to maintain optimal health,” Dr Griffith explained.
She noted that especially in the case of infants, parents must understand that these children were protected by the placenta, uterus, and breast milk after birth, and they need a clean environment similar to the one in which they thrived for the gestational period to protect them against potential infection since their immune systems are usually very fragile.
“To complicate things further, certain familial diseases, genetics, use and overuse of antibiotics, lifestyle choices, as well as just the changes that take place in nature may all impact the development and maturity of the human immune system. On the other hand, however, a squeaky clean approach has led to a culture of eradicating dirt on suspicion, sight or contact. It has had some benefits in decreasing the transmission of some forms of infection, but should not be considered in isolation,” Dr Griffith explained.
She said that the idea that hygiene alone is responsible for increased risk for allergic disease is being reconsidered as being simplistic in and of itself, and a more balanced approach should be adopted.
“This approach post-birth includes encouraging breastfeeding at birth and up to six months, immunisations as per recommended schedule, routine health visits, hand washing at the appropriate times, and disinfection and proper disposal of garbage and waste. The discussion will continue, but perspective should be maintained in order to maintain optimal health,” Dr Griffith advised.
