Could Lice Prevent Asthma?
Research on mice shows that those carrying the most lice had calmer immune systems than uninfested rodents. This finding could have implications for studying the causes of asthma and allergies in people.
The study adds to evidence supporting the so-called hygiene hypothesis, which holds that the rise in asthma and allergies can be linked to hyper-clean living. If the immune system is not properly primed in childhood, immune cells can improperly react to harmless triggers such as pollen or dander.
The research team wanted to test real, wild mice, not hygienic lab mice that had been raised for generations in ultra-clean conditions. They trapped mice and studied their immune systems, and found that mice who were not infested with lice had much more excitable immune systems.