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Scientists say educated parents more likely to have children with skin conditions

Scientists say educated parents more likely to have children with skin conditions

Fans of natural skin care may be interested to read recent research by Austrian scientists that shows children of highly educated mothers are more likely to suffer from irritating skin conditions like contact dermatitis.

According to the study's authors, Dr. Gerald Haidinger and Dr. Andrea Weber, children whose parents had a high school or college diploma were, on average, about 30 percent more likely to have been diagnosed with eczema than children whose parents had less education.

The authors also suggest that some educated parents provide an overly germ-free environment for their child, which may lead to fewer infections and an improperly trained immune system - a theory known as the "hygiene hypothesis."

Dr. Jon Hanifin, an eczema expert at Oregon Health and Science University, agreed. "Educated people may be more disease-seeking - looking for any little thing," he told Reuters Health.

Hanifin's favourite explanation is the skin-drying effect of money. He suggests that people with more schooling are more likely to have central heating, bathe frequently, and apply skin care products that dry out the skin.

Simon Golding, founder of mypure says: "hot showers & baths combined with products loaded with artificial fragrance, preservatives and harsh cleansers are a recipe for disaster for anyone with sensitive skin - switch to more natural alternatives and try not to have the water temperature turned up too high.  Cooler water is much more skin friendly"

Posted by Sarah Smith


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