Gut bacteria in allergic conditions

Much as common sense tells us that we shouldn’t go round touching strange objects, or even patronising dirty eating stalls, scientists are now saying that living in an extremely “clean” environment has made our children more vulnerable to atopic disorders. Atopy or atopic disorders cover diseases such as asthma, hay fever, eczema, sinusitis and allergies.  

The hygiene hypothesis postulates that fending children from allergens or preventing them from catching infectious diseases through vaccinations or treating them with antibiotics when their immune system has yet to be fully developed are the possible contributory factors to increased risk of atopy. Atopy is a rising epidemic in both developed and developing nations. It is said that every third child in many industrialised countries has an atopic disorder.