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by null_object 1487 days ago
> Two years of lockdown will give rise to a lot more children developing peanut allergies, asthma, hay fever, diabetes type 1, etc

What would be the mechanism of lockdown leading to peanut allergy?

2 comments

That would be the hygiene hypothesis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygiene_hypothesis), which says that early exposure to certain microorganisms helps prevent allergies.
It's common country knowledge that chewing on a little dirt is good for toddlers.
Kids staying at home, in overly sanitized environments, and socializing much less with other children. Their immune systems don't get "trained" as much. Not saying that you should let your child lick public restrooms knobs. But there is a balance. It is called the "Hygiene Hypothesis". I think it was niche idea a while ago but I think it is pretty much accepted now.