catwho the Pest wrote:
Eh, that's why it's a hypothesis, not a theory :P It's not completely proven. The idea, though, is that we do know the immune system in children has to be "primed" by exposure to germs and foreign substances. If you limit the exposure to household disinfectants, rather than letting them play in the sunshine and the dirt, the immune system starts getting hyper sensitive since it's underworked. If it's not exposed to pollen or peanuts, the immune system doesn't recognize them as friendly. So then one day you give the kid his first PB&J sammich and the immune system goes "AHAH this is a foreign substance we don't recognize, FINALLY!" And it panics and sends the kid into shock.
Lemme see if I can dig up some references . . .
Medwire: http://www.medwire-news.md/52/81370/Consumer_Health/Early_pet_exposure_may_help_prevent_allergies.html
Original source American Academy of Pediatrics (the article there is a pay one; this is a free summary from MSNBC): http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/27596933/
CCCEH (Summary repost): http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/108222.php
So. Give the kid shots against the most commonly acquired diseases that will kill him (so he doesn't pick up measles or whooping cough from the playground) then let him get as germed up as possible, with as many potential allergens as possible, as early as possible.
I am living proof it's all crap.
I have eaten PBJ since I can remember, I used to make my own lunches from at least the age of 8. PBJ on wheat bread, pringles, chocolate pudding and Tropical Punch Kool-aid... mmmmm
Now if I don't have antihistamines in my system and I am around peanuts, I get itchy, my lips get numb, I start coughing and my windpipe swells. You should see my arms and face atm since I popped a handful of Peanut M&M's and didn't have meds... I look like I am recovering from the chicken pox! ROFL