‘good dirt’

Can ‘good dirt’ protect your kids from asthma and allergies?

It began back in 1989, when a doctor named David Strachan observed younger siblings were less susceptible to eczema and asthma.   

He proposed it was because they were exposed to more unhygienic practices and infections, courtesy of their older brothers and sisters.   His theory became known as the hygiene hypothesis (now known by several other names, including the ‘old friends’ theory).

It’s valid to wonder about this link given New Zealand’s high rates of asthma compared to overseas.