This may sound unbelieveable, but recent studies have shown that Endotoxin, a toxic substance released by a type of bacteria when it dies or damaged, may actually reduce the risk of allergies in toddlers if they are exposed to the bacteria up to age of 3. According to the studies, the lower the amount of endotoxin the child is exposed to, the higher the risk of getting eczema or wheezing by the age of 3. Higher levels of endotoxin are found in the houses which are more than 30 years old, substandard home conditions, carpeting, and leaking walls. You can find more information on this unusual study here: http://news.sawf.org/Health/37421.aspx