Study identifies which bacteria trigger the 'farm effect' that makes children less prone to allergies

MedicalXpress | Jul 28, 2026

Children who grow up in a farm environment are less prone to allergies, asthma and hay fever than their classmates. This so-called farm effect has been identified in several observational studies worldwide. It is most likely attributable to the fact that various bacteria present in barn air prevent excessive inflammatory responses of the immune system that are characteristic of such diseases.