The "Farm Effect" and allergies.

I agree with @Imogene on this one. I lived outdoors. Tons of critters tossed into the mix. But I have allergies now.

What changed? I became a senior citizen. Our immune systems are not as strong as they once were and now we have issues fighting off the allergens all around us. Even your doc will tell you that.

Remember how grandmom, even the one on the farm, had a tissue tucked up her sleeve?
 

As a life long 'hands on' electrical mechanical repair technician I have never be particularly fastidious about hand cleanliness but have had many cuts scrapes and even quite severe work related damages over the years. I very rarely do anything more than wrap it up (often with electrical tape nothing more) just to stop the bleeding and carry on.

In 80 years I have never had a major infection from such damage and generally heal up nicely in fairly short order.

I am of the firm belief that my immune system is VERY strong simply because I do NOT go to the doctor or clinic for every little cut n scrape and that our immune systems 'learn from experience'. Is the ever increasing volume of kids that are allergic to milk or peanuts or whatever or adults that develop major illness from minor issues simply from lack of exposure to such things generally in their day to day life.

What do you think?
At 80 I am now allergenic to work but so far its not a debilitating affliction but my fingers are in much better shape!
 
Yes, I think our immune system is at boot camp for the first stretch of our lives. It's in training.
Where I grew up in the country, we had irrigation ditches on 3 sides of us, and the mosquitos were everywhere in the evening. However, today when a mosquito bites me, it has no effect. I can feel the bite, but it never itches. I know that was the result of being exposed so much as a child.
 

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