View Full Version : Dirty is better for your health?
I just saw this new item on Yahoo and thought it somewhat appropriate for the long-distance hiker community:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060616/ap_on_sc/dirty_rats
Basically, some research seems to indicate that regular sewer rats are healthier than lab rats because they are dirtier and have therefore been exposed to more allergens from the beginning, giving them an immunity of sorts. I find it interesting because I have been trying to figure out why it seems that kids today have many more health problems than they did even when I was a kid only thirty years ago. For instance, where did all the peanut allergies come from???
Anyway, the only relation to trail life is the limited amount of hygiene employed during long-distance hiking. What do you think about that?
It must be true, I've been wondering around in the woods since I was old enough to walk, or was that my parents putting me out on the roadside? Anyway, since my thru-hike I never wash my liners and socks, I might dry them in the sun but thats pretty much it. I put the entire AT miles on 2 pairs of thorlo liners and socks with the only washing or rinsing was from rain and creek crossings. Thus the term all my family use to describe my socks: "TOXIC SOX". The only feet problems in my family, such as fungus and warts, are had by those who keep clean socks and clean footwear. Not me. The only problem I've had was not clipping toenails soon enough.
Duh...ever heard of vaccinations?
Duh...ever heard of vaccinations?
I told some PA friends coming down to start the AT they should get a series of 7 shots in the butt to avoid the dreaded Redneckitis going around.
Duh...ever heard of vaccinations?
Duh...Vaccinations for allergies??? Not quite.
hikerjohnd
06-16-2006, 20:46
Duh...ever heard of vaccinations?
Yes - I'd like the vaccination for diabetes please...
Frolicking Dinosaurs
06-16-2006, 20:57
I let my kids get dirty when they were little and they are far healthier than the male dino's kids from a previous marriage. Thier mom practically followed them around with a washcloth and never let them play in the mud or jump in piles of leaves. As bfitz notes, immunity can be induced by exposure.
I let my kids get dirty when they were little and they are far healthier than the male dino's kids from a previous marriage. Thier mom practically followed them around with a washcloth and never let them play in the mud or jump in piles of leaves. As bfitz notes, immunity can be induced by exposure.
I agree with that. I had very limited hygene up until a few years ago and I'm almost never sick.
Just Jeff
06-17-2006, 00:17
Disinfecting your kitchen sinks and counters too often means only the hardiest of bacteria survive, and the ones that aren't hardy necessarily mutate to become so. Then, when you do get a germ on you, it's tougher than it would have been if you weren't so OCD about cleaning everything. At least I read that somewhere.
I also heard that it would be more hygenic to rub butts than to shake hands. And that the average person's face has more bacteria than a toilet seat. But I'm not gonna go rubbing strangers' butts and faces just to test that theory. :eek: