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With the popularity of on social media, we’re constantly being reminded about how dirty everything around us is. But while you might feel you should disinfect every surface in your home or send your child off to school with antibacterial gels so their hands stay clean, science actually shows us that being exposed to a bit of dirt can be good for kids’ health.

Evidence suggests that exposure to the might actually help children develop stronger immune systems – and may even decrease their risk of developing .

Mud is not just a mix of soil and water. It’s a complex ecosystem . One gram of soil can harbour – of potentially thousands of different species.

The diverse array of bacteria, fungi and other microbes present in mud and soil play a and is key to what immunologists call ” “. This is the process by which the immune system learns to distinguish between harmful pathogens and benign environmental substances.

During childhood, the immune system is especially adaptable. When exposed to a wide variety of microbes, it learns to – responding aggressively to harmful invaders while leaving harmless substances, such as pollen or food particles, alone.

But a lack of such training could leave immune systems worse off.

According to the , as societies become more urbanised and sanitised, our immune systems are deprived of the microbial challenges they need to develop properly. This may cause the immune system to , mistaking innocuous substances – such as pollen or dust – for dangerous invaders. This hypersensitivity can manifest as allergic conditions such as , or .

Lack of microbial exposure, particularly in , may also increase the likelihood of developing due to the immune system not being properly trained to handle everyday pathogens.

The lack of such immune training could potentially explain why children growing up in sanitised environments (such as cities with limited exposure to animals or nature) are up to 50% more likely to develop conditions such as . Their immune systems, unchallenged by natural microbial exposure, may overreact to harmless triggers.

And, without regular microbial interactions, the immune system may turn on the body itself – potentially contributing to the development of such as type 1 diabetes or multiple sclerosis. Research even shows that children raised in environments with high levels of microbial exposure – or – are less likely to develop allergies or autoimmune diseases.

There are many reasons why microbial exposure is so good for children’s . For instance, Bacteroides fragilies, which is commonly found in soil, helps produce a key molecule that’s .

Microbial exposure also helps children – white blood cells that control how the immune system responds to foreign invaders. T cells also prevent autoimmune reactions. This may explains why a lack of microbial exposure may increase a person’s likelihood of developing an autoimmune condition (though this is just one of many contributing factors).

Immune development

Mud play is more than just a messy outdoor activity. It provides – such as touching, smelling and manipulating different textures – which stimulate brain development and enhance emotional resilience.

Sensory activities (such as playing in mud) can reduce stress in children, which is another crucial element in maintaining a .

Research also shows Mycobacterium vaccae, a type of bacteria commonly found in soil, is shown to . It does this by influencing the release of serotonin, a key neurotransmitter. In animal studies, exposure to M vaccae has led to reduced symptoms of stress and anxiety. There’s emerging evidence that similar effects could .

In addition, playing outdoors is a form of , which further supports immune health by promoting better circulation and stimulating the production of immune cells.

While some parents may worry about the hygiene risks of playing in mud, there are many things you can do to ensure your kids play outdoors safely:

• Pick clean play areas: Ensure your child plays in areas unlikely to be contaminated by animal waste or harmful chemicals. ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ gardens or parks are great options. If you’re unsure how clean an area may be, you can use a soil testing kit to check for harmful substances before play.
• Dress for the mess: Waterproof clothing such as boots and jackets makes clean-up easier while still allowing children to experience the benefits of outdoor play.
• Hand hygiene: Washing hands after playing in the mud helps prevent harmful bacteria from . This reduces the risk of infections while maintaining healthy exposure to microbes.
• Repeat often: to beneficial microbes is necessary in order to build a stronger immune system.

Letting children get dirty by playing in mud could offer more than just fun – it may be an essential part of building a strong immune system. In a world that’s increasingly sanitised, embracing nature – dirt and all – might be exactly what our children’s immune systems need to thrive.