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Parents sterilize their kids' pacifiers, toys and hands, but all that cleaning could be wreaking havoc on children's immune systems, according to a University of Chicago scientist who specializes in microbial ecosystems. By sheltering little ones from beneficial bacteria in the environment, well-meaning parents can unintentionally trigger future allergies, asthma and eczema, argued researcher Jack Gilbert in his 2017 book, "Dirt Is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child's Developing Immune System." Modern society's indoor living and sterilized surfaces are nothing like our ancestors' outdoor existence. That difference can cause our immune systems to become hypersensitized, Gilbert told NPR in an interview. "You have these little soldier cells in your body called neutrophils, and when they spend too long going around looking for something to do, they become grumpy and pro-inflammatory," he explained. "When they finally see something that's foreign, like a piece of pollen, they become explosively inflammatory. They go crazy. That's what triggers asthma and eczema and oftentimes, food allergies."Gilbert references past research about dropped pacifiers to prove his point. Parents who "cleaned" the pacifiers by popping them into their own mouths were less likely to have kids with allergies later on compared to other methods to clean the pacifiers, according to a 2013 study published in Pediatrics. The Swedish scientists suspected that the harmless bacteria from moms' saliva stimulated their children's immune systems, building up their defenses. The "five-second rule" is another chance for a potential boost. While microbes will latch onto fallen food in milliseconds, it's "virtually impossible" for any dangerous pathogens to hitch a ride as well, Gilbert said. He even goes as far as to say that dirt from the backyard or a lick from the family dog isn't as dangerous as most parents think. The exposure could even help kids' health in the long run. The American Academy of Pediatrics agrees that antibacterial products such as hand sanitizer may "kill off normal bacteria and increase the chances that resistant bacteria may grow," but still stresses the importance of good hygiene when it comes to avoiding illness. "Hand-washing may be the single most important act you and your child have for disease prevention," the AAP said. "The best solution is to wash your child's hands with warm water and ordinary soap that does not contain antibacterial substances."That includes after going to the bathroom, playing outside, touching animals or sneezing or coughing. Kids should also wash up before eating or whenever someone at home is ill. At the end of the day, parents should definitely encourage proper hygiene at home — but maybe worry a little bit less about sterilizing the entire playroom.