Can Being Too Clean Weaken Your Immune System?

In the quest to avoid the 2019 novel coronavirus, we’re going through bottles of soap and tubs of disinfectant wipes faster than some stores can restock them.

Along the way, there’s been some speculation on social media that all the hand-washing and disinfecting we’re doing in the name of keeping coronavirus away could be weakening our immune systems.

Are there really downfalls to being squeaky clean?

Allergist and immunologist James Fernandez, MD, PhD, says there’s no scientific evidence to suggest that temporarily stepping up your cleaning game is dangerous to your immune health.

“For adults, in this time frame we’re talking about and the hygiene measures that we’re taking, I don’t think there’s a lot of clinical risk to our immune system,” he says.

The hygiene hypothesis

The belief that a lot of cleaning and hand-washing weakens your immune system was probably born out of something called the hygiene hypothesis. This is the idea that kids who are exposed to more viruses, bacteria and other pathogens early in life build stronger immune systems.

“This idea comes from observations that some developing countries where kids might be exposed to more pathogens tend to have lower rates of certain diseases such as allergies and asthma,” Dr. Fernandez notes.

But there’s still debate around this hypothesis – and how much of a role personal hygiene plays. “Theoretically it makes sense, but there isn’t a lot of strong science behind it,” Dr. Fernandez notes.

It’s also not meant to be interpreted as a sweeping generalization that more germs and less cleanliness is better.

There are also many other factors that can affect your immune health that aren’t related to hygiene.

So here’s the big takeaway: There’s no evidence that a short-term boost in hand-washing and cleaning will reduce your body’s immune function.

Scrub-a-dub-dub

To reduce the spread of the coronavirus and other infectious diseases, the CDC recommends washing your hands with soap and water after you’ve been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If you need to wash your hands but soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer made with at least 60% alcohol.

Washing and sanitizing your hands a lot can leave your skin dry or cracked, so you might want to add a good moisturizing lotion to your hand-washing routine.

The CDC also recommends regularly cleaning frequently touched surfaces in your household, including doorknobs, light switches, counter tops and faucets.

Proactively protect your immune health

Hygiene aside, there are many factors that play into how well-equipped your immune system is to fight infections. Some of those things are out of your control, such as age and genetics. But there are several things you can do to keep your defenses strong, including:

• Find ways to cope with stress. Stress causes your body to make a hormone called cortisol. Over time, cortisol can lead to inflammation and reduce your body’s ability to fight of infections.
• Fuel-up smartly. A well-rounded diet with ample amounts of fiber and healthy fats help keep inflammation at bay.
• Keep moving. Regular exercise helps keep your immune system running smoothly.
• Get your Zzzs. The average adult needs about seven to nine hours of sleep a night.
• Avoid harmful substances. Smoking and excessive drinking can weaken your immune system.