Germs - Enemies or allies?

Learn about the myths and realities of germs and teach your child how to protect himself without fear or exaggeration.

Germs

Are you chasing your child with wet wipes and hand gels to clean his hands? Has his favorite teddy bear been replaced by alcohol or soap? Is it important for your little one to always be clean, but is it just as good to be sterile? Read the article and after you finish it you may change your mind and discover that germs and bacteria are not always enemies of your children, but in many cases they are also good friends!

Recent research has shown microbes another perspective. More specifically:

Exposure to germs during childhood reduces the risk of developing diseases after adulthood, according to research conducted at the University of Illinois, led by Dr. Thomas McNade. In particular, the study looked at children of the same age from the Philippines and the United States. The study found that children in the Philippines "carried" more infections than children in the United States, but the levels of CRP protein (whose increased levels are related to emerging infections and other childhood illnesses). occur in adulthood) in their blood was about 80% lower than the percentage in the blood of children living in America.

Simple soaps are no different from antibacterial soaps in terms of protection against germs, according to research conducted in Pakistan by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the University of Aga Knan. non-governmental organization HOPE and from the company Procter & Gamble. Scientists have studied 36 cities in Pakistan. In 25 cities they distributed antibacterial and conventional soaps, while in the remaining 11 nothing. The results of the research showed that there was a decrease in pneumonia, diarrhea and various infections that plagued the people. It was noted, however, that there was no significant difference between the population that was washed with antibacterial soap and the population that was washed with plain soap, which essentially testified to the superiority of antibacterial soaps over the protection of germs.

Myths and Reality!

Although most parents believe that the myths about germs will enliven and harm your children, we tell you that it's time to look at the other side of the coin. Read the most classic myths and shoot them down, while at the same time protecting your child!

MYTH: All bacteria are extremely dangerous.

REALITY: Bacteria are everywhere and most of them help us more than they threaten us. In many cases, in fact, it protects us from many diseases, but also performs auxiliary work for our smooth digestion!

MYTH: Since simple soaps and cleansers have antimicrobial action, antibacterial soaps are clearly better for protecting our children.

REALITY: Antibacterial soaps do not keep your children healthier. In contrast, in many cases these soaps are responsible for the resistance of some organisms to antibiotics. More specifically, scientists have argued that a particular chemical, triclosan, found in most cleansers and soaps, may even block antibiotic therapy. This chemical acts as an antibiotic on its own and has the potential to kill large amounts of bacteria. At the same time, however, some bacteria are learning how to survive by dealing with the specific ingredient. So the bacteria left in the body have developed a good "defense" against a very wide range of antibiotics. As a result, in some cases our body does not respond to the medications prescribed by the doctor for our immediate treatment.

MYTH: Children cannot wash their hands well on their own.

REALITY: The body of children, as well as adults, has a defense system that protects them from "bad" bacteria. Thus, many of the "good" bacteria that live on the skin protect humans from "evil" bacteria. Antibacterial alcohol gels can kill many germs and viruses, but they can also kill many of the bacteria that want our good! So, follow the simplest and most traditional shield against germs, ie washing your hands with simple soap!

MYTH: It is very important to bathe your children every night, but also to wash their hair.

REALITY: Whether your little one will wash his body and hair on a daily basis always depends on his moods, but also yours! What is certain, however, is that this tactic is not necessary to protect it from germs and viruses. So relax and let your child decide what he wants and listen to his body's needs.

MYTH: Every home is full of germs, so the more often you clean it, the more protected you and your children are.

REALITY: It is a fact that every home needs cleaning and disinfection, especially in the kitchen area, where cooking "alchemies" take place and most families have lunch. But what you need to realize is that in the kitchen you cook, you don't have surgery! Even doctors now claim that when a child lives permanently in a sterile environment, without being exposed to germs or bacteria, they are more likely to develop allergies at a young age. So a measured exposure to germs will do more good than harm.

MYTH: Every time your child shares his food with another child or eats something he took from the floor, he is in serious danger of getting sick or ill.

REALITY: It is justified to be a little upset when your little one throws food on the floor and then collects it and puts it in his mouth or when you see him eating from his friend's ice cream, but don't worry, there is no reason. Surely you can reduce the chances of your child getting sick by doing the best you can for it. Clearly, however, you cannot remove every virus and germ 100% from the environment around it. Compromise with that! Don't stop doing the best for your child's health, but stop believing that their health is threatened at any time by anything. Don't forget to keep your cool at all times! It is important to explain to your child that it is best to avoid eating with the same fork or spoon as anyone else, because through this process they can sometimes catch a virus.

Lessons about hygiene!

Give your child health lessons to protect them from "bad" germs, but don't scare them. It is important to teach your little one to take care and protect himself, but as with all things, cleanliness needs limits! Scientists now claim that excessive cleaning in babies and children in many cases leads to allergies and asthma. This is because the body has failed to develop a strong defense against germs due to too much sterilization, making it sensitive! You clean your home, your clothes, your body, but also the objects you use, but not more often than necessary. You can, for example, dust every day, but it is too much to dust every half or an hour.

So it's time for your child, especially if he or she is going to school, to learn what prevention means with the help of some basic hygiene rules:

• Encourage him to wash his hands after the game, if he caresses an animal, before eating, after returning home from outside or from school, but also after coming out of the toilet. Show your child how to wash his hands. It is not the amount of soap that matters, but the way he washes his hands. So tell him to soap them well and always make sure the soap goes between his fingers.
• Inform him that he needs to avoid kissing or getting too close to other children or other people when they are sick or cold!
• Teach your child to put his hand in front of his mouth when he coughs and not to put objects in his mouth, because they are dirty and can catch germs. No matter how small an infant is, you can communicate with him and understand what you are saying to him, while showing him at the same time.
• Give your child wet wipes in case they need them to clean their hands, but clearly don't chase them all the time. Teach him to take care of himself and help him understand how he can protect himself and not how to learn to be afraid of the world of germs!
• Tell your child that it is best not to eat with the same fork or drink from the same glass or with the same straw as his friends. It is also a good idea to avoid rubbing his eyes, scratching his ears or putting his hands on his nose, especially when his hands are not clean.
• Do not use antibiotics as candies. There are cases when the child has a cold, is unwell, has a sore throat or even a fever, in which case he does not need to take antibiotics. Make sure you always consult your pediatrician in order to do the best for your little one.
• Buy him children's books, with a pleasant illustration, which will gradually introduce him, in a pleasant and fun way, to the world of cleanliness, while at the same time he will be informed about the world of microorganisms!