Is Dirt Actually Dirty? Exposure to Dirt and Its Effects on The Immune System

The urban environments we live in today have gotten increasingly more sterile. We want everything to be spotless, our homes, our clothes, our kids. But what if this desire to always be clean is detaching us from nature in itself. See, nature is not a sterile environment. Living things and even dead things are not sterile. There are always tiny microorganisms existing everywhere in nature. We, humans, are nature too. There are trillions of bacteria living on us and inside of us. These good bacteria that live on our skins, inside our noses, mouths, lungs, guts and everywhere else are a crucial part of our immune systems. From the moment we are born (including the process of natural birth), we are exposed to bacteria. This is how our immune systems form. Limited exposure to natural environments that are rich in bacteria, being scared of our children getting dirty, insistent hand-washing and such have all lead to one thing – sensitive immune systems and health issues. 

The role of good bacteria in the immune system

Our microbiomes, such as on skin and nose, are our first line of defense against pathogens. The more good bacteria you have, the more easily they can fight off bad bacteria that cause infections and diseases. By being exposed to good bacteria (like by spending time outdoors) we enrich our microbiomes with more good bacteria. On the other hand, things like sanitizers and disinfectants (that kill 99.9% of bacteria) kill good AND bad bacteria as they cannot differentiate in between the two. An imbalance in our microbiomes (meaning more bad bacteria than good), leads to health issues like allergies, gut issues, eczema, asthma. And it all starts from birth. 

Exposure to dirt and its benefits

When children, starting from babies, are allowed to not only be outdoors, but to explore the world freely, with all of their senses, they are introduced to a world of beneficial bacteria and other microbes. But what if they are exposed to bad bacteria you might ask. Well then they fight them off, strengthening their immune systems further. Microbial exposure, especially in early childhood, is also linked to the development of regulatory T cells. These cells help control immune responses, preventing overreactions. Children being exposed to the microbes in their environments are less likely to develop allergies, asthma and autoimmune diseases later in life. This is because early exposure to microbes helps train the immune system to react appropriately to foreign invaders. 

Offense vs Defense

So what if we change the way we fight off pathogens? What if instead of constantly disinfecting hands and surfaces, scared of coming in contact with something that might make us sick, we changed our approach? What if instead of tackling bad bacteria, viruses and fungi, with things like antibiotics, that harm our first line of defense - good bacteria, even further, we took on the approach of offense? Not being scared of dirt, exposing our and our children’s immune systems to all kinds of microorganisms, diversifying our microbiomes, strengthening our immune systems, so that when we are exposed to things that can potentially harm us, our immune systems are fully equipped to handle them, without overreacting. 

It's all about balance

Just to be clear, I am not suggesting that you should let you kid eat dirt (even though a little bit wouldn’t hurt☺) or never wash their hands. I am just saying, remember that for the majority of history, humans lived outdoors or in outdoor-focused dwellings, ate food straight off of trees or the ground and walked barefoot. The relationship between humans and soil has been profound and enduring. Maybe it’s time we remember that soil is crucial for human existence and maybe the thought process that it’s dirty stems from our deep societal disconnection from nature as a whole. 

How we do it at The Wild School

Some ways we encourage this remembrance, while encouraging stronger immune systems at The Wild School are:

• Fostering love and respect for our environment – When we learn about plants, animals and their lifecycles, the fear for these things disappears. Children understand the importance all of nature has for our wellbeing and develop deep love for it. This love and appreciation takes away from thinking dirt is dirty or gross. 

• Foraging – We learn about edible and medicinal plants and the children love trying these new plants. This is a great way to get exposed to microorganisms in the soil, as well as receive lots of nutrients, as plants that grow in the wild are more rich in vitamins and minerals.

• Playing with dirt and mud – Children are not only allowed, they’re encouraged to get dirty and play in our school, engaging is sensory exploration and enriching their microbiomes with all the beneficial bacteria. 

Soil creates all life. When we remember our connection to it and the utmost importance it has for our wellbeing, we might just stop deeming it dirty. The disconnection from the earth that carries us all has surely caused harm to our health. So let’s go back to our roots, let’s help raise generations that don’t fear getting dirty, generations whose immune systems thrive. And maybe, just maybe, that will not only heal people, but it will the planet itself. 

Ditch the screens and step into nature—where every puddle, stick, and rock is a learning opportunity! Join us for a trial class today.

Email us at info@thewildschool.org to learn more about our programs!

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by Viktorya Avetisyan