A University of Otago study released today shows thumb-suckers and nail-biters may be less likely to develop allergies. Thumb-suckers could have less allergies, study showsThumb-sucking is linked with a lower risk of allergy development. The study uses data from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Study which followed 1037 participants born in the 1970s and suggests childhood exposure to microbial organisms reduces the risk of developing allergies. "The findings support the 'hygiene hypothesis', which suggests that being exposed to microbes as a child reduces your risk of developing allergies," Hancox said. However, the study did not suggest encouraging thumb-sucking or nail-biting because it is not clear whether those behaviours present a true health benefit.

Source: Stuff July 11, 2016 05:03 UTC