Thumbsuckers less likely to have allergies
A new study from New Zealand’s University of Otago shows that children who sucked their thumbs or bit their nails as youths were less likely to have allergies when they’re older.
The study shows that early-life exposure to microbial bacteria commonly found on hands and under fingernails leads to a lower risk of developing asthma, eczema, and hay fever as adults.
It may not be the most hygienic practice for kids, but at least there’s some benefits.
Read the Journal of Pediatrics study.
Did you suck your thumb or bite your nails as a child? If so, do you still suffer from allergies?
4 comments
4 comments
One of my kids chewed her nails and suffered eczema. Another sucked her thumb and suffered hay fever in childhood and early adulthood. My husband has chewed his nails his whole life and he gets eczema and dermatitis. I did neither and have never suffered from asthma, eczema or hay fever. I thus am a little sceptical of this study.