Smarter: Should Kids Be Exposed to Dirt?

By Pang-Chieh Ho
Senior Home & Appliances Writer

May 11, 2023

This week I’m exploring whether parents should expose their children to dirt and germs. In other words, I’m checking the math of “mud + children = good?” Also in this issue: Is Avon Skin So Soft Bath Oil an effective bug repellent, and small, simple tricks to waste less in your kitchen and save more money.

THE BIG STORY

I’m not sure when I became aware that exposure to dirt wasn’t something that kids should be avoiding. I just remember sometime in my youth there was a perception shift, and my view of dirt went from “Ewww, dirt!” to something more like “Well, it’s full of microbiomes, and that can be kinda good?”

It’s a view that many seem to agree with. When we asked people in an Instagram poll whether they let their kids play in the dirt, 84 percent said yes. As for why, many said that being exposed to germs was good for their children’s health and strengthened their immune system.

So is it true? This is what some experts had to say.

First, it’s all related to the hygiene hypothesis, a medical theory that proposes that childhood exposure to germs and certain infections can help the immune system develop and teach it not to overreact, according to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

It’s difficult to say whether the hygiene hypothesis is actually true, only that there are a fair amount of observational studies to support the concept, says Thanai Pongdee, MD, an allergist and immunologist at the Mayo Clinic.

Some of the evidence that led to this hypothesis came from studies of allergies in mice. Those that were fed sterilized food and raised in a sterile environment with few bacteria present were more likely to develop allergic reactions compared with mice raised eating normal diets in less sterile environments, says Russell B. Leftwich, MD, an adjunct assistant professor of biomedical informatics at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

There are also studies that suggest that children who grow up on farms, typically environments that are rich in bacteria, have a lower risk of developing asthma and allergies than children raised in an urban environment, says John J. Costa, MD, medical director of Brigham and Women’s Hospital Allergy and Clinical Immunology Practice in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

And a 2014 study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that infants in their first year who were exposed to certain household bacteria and cockroach and mice allergens may be less likely to suffer from allergies, wheezing, and asthma.

While there’s evidence that supports the finding that exposure to microbiomes may help develop your immune system, it’s worth noting that not all of the studies can translate to actionable advice. For instance, you wouldn’t suggest that families live in homes heavily infested with cockroaches and mice to prevent allergies and asthma, says Robert A. Wood, director of pediatric allergy and immunology of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and one of the authors of the 2014 study.

And many of these environmental influences seem to make the most impact in the first few months of a child’s life, Robert says.

So is it okay for kids to play in the dirt?
If it’s a normal environment where your children are just crawling on the grass and being exposed to the dirt, it’s safe and likely healthy, Robert says.

However, if your child is immunocompromised or the soil they play in might contain toxins, like pesticides or harmful chemicals, then it’s probably not a good idea, says James Dickerson, Consumer Reports’ chief scientific officer.

Depending on where you live, lead can be a common contaminant in soil. It can come from leaded gasoline, exterior lead-based paint, and industrial sources, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you suspect there’s contamination, make sure your children don’t play in the bare soil, and don’t grow fruit and vegetables in it, either.

HERE'S OUR VERDICT

Avon Skin So Soft Original Bath Oil Spray

Question: Does Avon Skin So Soft Bath Oil, often touted as an alternative to traditional bug spray, actually work as an insect repellent?

Last time we tested it, we saw that the oil provides only 2 hours of protection from two kinds of mosquitoes and deer ticks compared with the products we recommend, which generally protect for 5 or 6 hours. So the bottom line is, no, we don’t recommend it for that purpose.

Instead of using the oil, read our strategies for warding off mosquitoes and ticks.

MUST-READS OF THE WEEK

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❗ Your Smart Devices Are Trying to Manipulate You With ‘Dark Patterns’
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🔎 What the Health Claims on Food Labels Really Mean
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🚗 Electric Vehicles and Plug-In Hybrids That Qualify for a Federal Tax Credit
The rules have been updated. Check out which models qualify for a tax credit of up to $7,500.

TIP OF THE WEEK

Illustration of a woman in the kitchen baking

Here are a couple of smart ways you can waste less and save money in the kitchen.

Use the microwave instead of the oven if you can. It draws up to 80 percent less energy.

Leave your lever faucet in the cold position when you’re using small amounts of water. Otherwise, you’re triggering water to be heated on reserve when it might not be needed.

Check out more things you can do to save money in the kitchen.

"We got the dirt on this."

Pang-Chieh Ho

Pang-Chieh Ho is a senior content creator at Consumer Reports who writes about the intersections of home products and health. She has been working in the media industry for almost 10 years. Books are her first love, but movies come a close second. You can send tips to her at [email protected].