Thumb sucking and nail biting may not be gross habits after all
Ever get reamed out for biting your nails or sucking your thumb? According to a new study, you might actually be improving your health.
In research published in the July issue of Pediatrics journal, researchers
The reason: germs!
“Our findings are consistent with the hygiene theory that early exposure to dirt or germs reduces the risk of developing allergies,” Sears said in a press release.
The study comes out of New Zealand’s Dunedin School of Medicine and looked at 1,037 kids born between 1972 and 1973. Following the participants for 38 years, they conducted assessments at ages three, five, seven, nine, 11, 13, 15, 18, 21, 26, 32, and 38 years of age. In the early years, parents were asked to rate whether their children were frequent thumb suckers or nail biters. After age 13, allergy tests and respiratory assessments were conducted to determine participants level of risk.
“The findings from this study support our hypothesis that children who frequently suck their thumbs or bite their nails have a lower risk of developing atopic sensitization,” the study states.
“Children who were reported to have either of these habits were less likely to have positive skin-prick tests at age 13 years and this apparent protective effect persisted to age 32 years. These associations were independent of sex, a parental history of atopy, and a variety of environmental factors known to be associated with atopic sensitization within this cohort.”
But before you go sticking your fingers in your mouth, Sears is quick to point out that these habits still aren’t great.
“While we don’t recommend that these habits should be encouraged, there does appear to be a positive side to these habits.”
Well, at least there’s a plus side.
Are you a nail-biter or a thumb-sucker? Let us know by tweeting to @YahooStyleCA.
