Bill Harvey: I wish I could fly

I have been thinking about allergies this week.

My recent reacquaintance with baby-sitting reminded me of the years spent sterilising various teats and bottles in Milton cleaner before feeding one of my progenies. I was always a little puzzled as to how effective sterilisation really was. Whenever I held the bottle to the infant, it invariably was rubbed around their non-sterile face and many a pacifier dummy ended up on the floor before a quick wipe and insertion.

Early exposure to pathogens can help develop immunity. Allergy is a hypersensitivity response. It would seem there is a balance here, and I am not alone in wondering whether the recent rise in allergies of many kinds might have some link with our zeal in sterilising every surface in the home around young children.