New Yorker Article on Food Allergies (2/7/11)

[MGZ]

Anyone else read this? I thought it was both interesting and somehow predicatable that the science seems to be coming full circle. There's going to be a lot of angry mommys if it turns out following the doctor's advice created their kid's allergies.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/20...

[tarbaby]

text?

[amyzan]

I think a lot of allergists are going to have to revisit their malpractice insurance coverage...because most of them are advising exactly what this article purports contributes to the rise in food allergies.

[dach]

very interesting. It dovetails with another theory that young children exposure to pets and playing "dirty" outdoors lowers the incidences of childhood asthma, which explains the high and increasing incidence of asthma among inner city youths who grow up in a more antiseptic environment.

[MGZ]

That's what I mean. There was (it seems the guidelines have been lifted) a standard of care that was pretty contrary to basic, inductive reasoning. I am surprised that more pediatricians didn't diverge from the recommendations, but I suppose the nature of modern medical practice makes such an approach quite perilous. I am, however, not surprised that very few women failed to question the logic of their physician's guidance.

[chowser]

Yeah, I tell my kids I'm doing them a favor by not cleaning more often.

I'm not sure about the article in the OP, though--kids started having an increase to allergies which is what led to the suggestion of avoiding allergens until older. It wasn't the reverse.

[mucho gordo]

My DIL tells me that the full article is only available to subscribers of the magazine.

[MGZ]

I read the article the old fashioned way - the magazine itself. She should be able to get a copy of it at the newsstand, 7-11, etc. for $5. It's in the Feb. 7 Edition.

[oana]

Great article. We should all just be listening to the wisdom of our (or somebody's) great grandmothers. They knew what to do man :)

[mucho gordo]

Thanks for posting this. I sent the link to my DIL for my granddaughter