Thumb-Sucking, Nail-Biting, and Atopic Sensitization, Asthma, and Hay Fever

Thumb-Sucking, Nail-Biting, and Atopic Sensitization, Asthma, and Hay Fever.

BACKGROUND The hygiene hypothesis suggests that early-life exposure to microbial organisms reduces the risk of developing allergies. Thumb-sucking and nail-biting are common childhood habits that may increase microbial exposures. We tested the hypothesis that children who suck their thumbs or bite their nails have a lower risk of developing atopy, asthma, and hay fever in a population-based bir...

Exposure to pets, and the association with hay fever, asthma, and atopic sensitization in rural children.

BACKGROUND An increasing number of studies report pet exposure to be associated with lower risk of asthma and allergies. This 'protective pet effect' has been suggested to result from a modified T-helper (Th)2-cell response, or because of increased microbial load in homes where pets are kept. We examined the associations between pet contact and the occurrence of asthma and allergies in children...

Hay Fever and Hay Asthma

Our knowledge of the pathology of hay fever, and of the neuroses that frequently complicate it, has of late years become more exact and scientific, and consequently the treatment of these affections has been placed on a more rational basis with great advantage to the sufferers. Most cases may be partially, and many completely relieved, while a fair proportion may be altogether cured ; it is imp...

Nail Biting; Etiology, Consequences and Management

Nail biting (NB) is a common, but unresolved, problem in psychiatry, psychology, medicine and dentistry. While it seems that NB is a simple behavior that can be stopped easily, many of the children with NB have already tried to stop it, but they have not been successful. The frustrations due to failed attempt involve others such as parents and siblings. The present review aims at providing an o...

Thumb and finger sucking.