Wearing dirty shoes indoors 'could protect children from asthma'

Wearing dirty shoes indoors could protect children from asthma because 'bacteria in SOIL build up their resilience' Researchers from Finland found farmyard bacteria were beneficial for children Those living in houses with more soil bacteria were less likely to get asthma More siblings or an old house also reduced the risk of getting the lung condition

By Sam Blanchard Senior Health Reporter For Mailonline

Published: 17:36 BST, 17 June 2019 | Updated: 17:36 BST, 17 June 2019

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Wearing dirty shoes indoors could make children less likely to get asthma, research has found.

Children were at a lower risk of developing the common lung condition if the bacteria in their family home was more like that of a farmyard.

Scientists said larger numbers of certain organisms, which were found in soil, helped to build up children's resilience.

Living among bacteria similar to those found in farmyards makes children less likely to develop the common lung condition asthma, according to Finnish researchers (stock image)

Living among bacteria similar to those found in farmyards makes children less likely to develop the common lung condition asthma, according to Finnish researchers (stock image)

Researchers from the National Institute of Health and Welfare in Finland analysed the range of bacteria in 1,400 homes in Finland and Germany.

They found children with more siblings were also less likely to get asthma.

Exposure to greater numbers of bacteria species which usually belonged outdoors made children's lungs healthier.

'It is interesting to see how clear of a protective effect indoor microbiota can have against the development of asthma,' said Professor Juha Pekkanen.

'EXPOSING CHILDREN TO DIRT IS GOOD FOR THEM'

Professor Jack Gilbert, a faculty director at the University of Chicago and co-author of a book called 'Dirt is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child's Developing Immune System', says children shouldn't live in sterile environments.

He claims exposing youngsters to microbes widespread in the great outdoors will give them a stronger, more robust immune system.

The germ expert – and parent –

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