Kids who bite nails have less allergies

A study has found that children who suck thumbs or keep biting their nails are less likely to develop common allergies to house dust mites, grass, cats, dogs, horses or airborne fungi.

Children who have both the habits, thumb sucking and nail biting, are even less likely to have these allergies.

The research, published in the journal Pediatrics, was completed by researchers of New Zealand’s Dunedin School of Medicine, assisted by professor Malcolm Sears of McMaster University, Ontario, Canada.

‘Our findings are consistent with the hygiene theory that early exposure to dirt or germs reduces the risk of developing allergies,’ said Sears. ‘While we don’t recommend that these habits should be encouraged, there does appear to be a positive side to these habits.’