Teenagers can be too clean for their own good, warns a new study.
The modern trend for using antibacterial soaps is actually harming young people by making them more prone to developing allergies.
It seems teenagers are becoming over-exposed to a compound called triclosan, widely used in household products such as soaps, toothpaste, pens and nappy bags.
Allison Aiello, associate professor and principal investigator, said: ‘The triclosan findings in the younger age groups may support the hygiene hypothesis.
‘Triclosan may play a role in changing the micro-organisms to which we are exposed in such a way that our immune system development in childhood is affected.
‘It is possible that a person can be too clean for their own good.’ Adults also can suffer a weakened immune system because of exposure to plastics.
These contain a chemical called bisphenol A, which is also used to line food cans.
Both these chemicals are classed as environmental toxins which are believed to have a negative impact on human health by mimicking or affecting hormones.
The team from the University of Michigan School of Public Health in the US studied adults and children over six using data relating to allergies and hay fever. The paper is due to appear online in Environmental Health Perspectives.
Earlier this month, a team at Arizona University claimed triclosan was not effective in killing germs.