July 12, 2016.
According to a study conducted by a team of researchers from MacMaster University in New Zealand, sucking your thumb or biting your nails would be a good bulwark against allergies.
Sucking your thumb strengthens the immune system
Parents keep reminding children not to put their dirty fingers in their mouths, but are they really right? According to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, sucking his thumb and biting his nails would protect children from allergies. To achieve these results, the researchers followed 1,000 people from infancy to adulthood. As a result, children who sucked their thumbs, bit their nails or both, at the ages of 5, 7, 9 and 11, had fewer allergic reactions than other children.
Concretely, the researchers subjected the volunteers to two tests, one at 13 years old, the other at 32 years old. To know their resistance, during these tests, they deposited allergens (dust, herbs, fungi, dog or cat hair, mites, etc.) on their arms, to see if it was causing reactions like redness or swelling.
More resistance in children who had bit their nails
Thanks to their experimentation, the researchers found that 45% of the children had reactions to allergens. Children who sucked their thumbs or bit their nails only 40% had a reaction. Those who had indulged in both practices were only 31%.
” Our results are consistent with the theory that exposure to dirt or germs reduces the risk of developing allergies. ”Said Dr. Sears of the University of Mac Masters (Ontario) who participated in the study. ” Even if we obviously do not encourage this kind of habit, it appears that they can have a beneficial effect “. However, further studies will be needed to identify which microbial organisms are beneficial and how they might influence immune function.
Read also: 5 tips to avoid biting your nails
