Thumb Sucking,Nail Biting Can Keep Allergies At Bay

Is your toddler addicted to “bad habits” such as thumb-sucking or nail-biting? Worry not, as according to a study, she or he is less likely to develop allergic sensitivities in the long run.

The findings showed that children with both thumb-sucking or nail-biting habits were less likely to be allergic to things such as house dust mites, grass, cats, dogs, horses or airborne fungi.

In the study, the researchers tested the idea that these common childhood habits would increase microbial exposures, affecting the immune system and reducing the development of allergic reactions. The habits were measured in a longitudinal birth cohort of more than 1,000 New Zealand children at ages 5, 7, 9 and 11.

The researchers found 31 per cent of children were frequent thumb suckers or nail biters.