Why Dirt is Good for You

Is dirt good for kids? What a question to ask! The first thing a parent would think of is an emphatic “NO!” Dirt is dirty, right? And we are told to wash our hands often, wear clean clothes, take a bath and in general stay clean. And dirt has germs, lots and lots of nasty ones, so no way dirt is good for kids, or for anyone for that matter. Except for maybe earth worms.

But wait, there is more to know. According to Jack Gilbert, a scientist who studies ecosystems at the University of Chicago, it turns out that most exposure to dirt, whether on the floor or outside, is beneficial, and not harmful. In his most recent book “Dirt is Good, The Advantage of Germs for Your Child’s Developing Immune System” we have literally over-cleaned our environment to the point of causing more, not less illness.

Now let’s be clear, I am not advocating eating dirt, or purposefully throwing things on the floor to get them dirty.  But he makes some interesting points. For instance, the “5-second rule,” which I’m sure all of you have heard of, does not exist in the scientific realm. It only takes a fraction of a second for dirt on the floor to get on food, and if you eat it, then so what? It may seem gross to you (it does to me!) but the actual damage is, well none. There is almost no chance of getting a human disease from eating something that fell in the floor.  

But the main thing I take away from his writing is reinforcing a concept called “The Hygiene Hypothesis,” which states that multiple exposures to allergens (those things that cause allergies, i.e. dust, dog or cats, highly allergenic foods, etc.) actually prevents allergies, skin rashes, asthma and other ailments related to the immune system. Several studies have born this out, in which children raised on farms have less overall allergies and asthma, presumed to be from multiple exposures to dirt, cows, horses, etc.

So what is a parent to do? Well, let your kid play outside and get a bit dirty!  Yes wash their hands when they come in with soap and water, but don’t wash every time their hands are dirty while playing (unless there is a big blob of dirt, of course). Allow them to touch and pet animals, and no need to wash immediately after. In infants, we encourage the early introduction of the highly allergenic foods such as dairy, eggs, nut butters etc.  If your child is immunized, has no underlying medical conditions that may compromise their immunity and is other wise healthy then, let them get dirty!!!