[aklemm]

The hygiene hypothesis is compelling, as many in this thread demonstrate. But there is sort of an opposite less tidy explanation which needs to be studied further: our immune systems are confused by a barrage of foreign antagonists in the modern industrial world and causing it to go haywire.

[misja111]

Did you read the article? I think we can stop calling it a hypothesis, asthma emergency visits went down by as much as 60% within 10 years after the programme started.

[bryanlarsen]

The hygiene hypothesis seems likely to be a good explanation for part of the problem, but there is good evidence that it is only a part explanation.

[aklemm]

Yes, and I believe the hygiene hypothesis is one of the mechanisms at play, for sure. Didn’t mean to imply otherwise. But this other idea I think could ALSO be a factor and it’s not as neat and tidy for people to understand, so it’s important to not oversimplify.