{"id":152657,"date":"2023-02-12T02:33:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-12T09:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dherbs.com\/?p=152657"},"modified":"2023-02-10T15:57:23","modified_gmt":"2023-02-10T22:57:23","slug":"can-going-outside-with-wet-hair-make-you-sick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dherbs.com\/articles\/can-going-outside-with-wet-hair-make-you-sick\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Going Outside With Wet Hair Make You Sick?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Your mom probably warned you against going outside with wet hair because it would make you sick. Is this just superstition, or can going outside with wet hair<\/strong> actually make you ill? Illnesses like the common cold or flu tend to increase during the winter, but the reality is that there is no connection between wet hair and your chances of getting sick. And for the record, cold weather itself doesn\u2019t make you sick either.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going Outside With Wet Hair In The Cold<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGo outside with wet hair and you\u2019ll catch a cold!\u201d Almost every child heard that growing up, but apologies to all mothers and grandmothers because they were incorrect saying that. Quite simply, it just isn\u2019t true. You cannot get sick from simply going outside with wet hair because that is not a cause for catching a cold. Health experts state that a microorganism, such as a virus or pathogen, has to be involved to cause infection. Is there at least some <\/em>logic to that old warning from moms, though?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to experts, colder air temperatures are better environments for viruses to travel through the air. This is especially true for the rhinovirus, which is the most common cause of the common cold. Some research suggests that lack of sun exposure and low vitamin D levels<\/a> during the winter also play a role in a weaker immune system, or at least a diminished ability for the immune system to respond to infection.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Wet Hair Isn\u2019t The Cause, What Makes You Sick?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wet hair makes you uncomfortable in colder weather, but it doesn\u2019t increase the risk of you contracting a virus. Germs that cause infections spread through the air or via bodily fluids like blood, mucus, or water droplets that you expel during coughs or sneezes. You can also catch an infection if you touch a hard surface that has viral droplets on it, and then you touch your mouth, eyes, nose, or small wound. That\u2019s why coming in close contact with a sick person dramatically increases your risk of infection. Germs enter the body through your mouth, nose, and if you touch your face after touching an infected surface; they don’t enter the body through your hair. If you happen to fall ill after going outside with wet hair, you probably contracted a virus. Being in the cold air just made the symptoms more noticeable.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Do People Still Believe This Old Myth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As stated previously, cold temperatures are better environments for viruses like the rhinovirus to travel through the air and linger in the nose and mouth. During colder weather, people tend to gather indoors, where ventilation and air circulation<\/a> is not as great. The lack of natural ventilation coupled with close contact and central heating creates a breeding ground for germs. The reason for this is because standing in close proximity to others can expose you to water droplets that they expel through sneezing or coughing. Additionally, artificial heat can dry out mucus in the nasal passageways. Why does that matter? Dried mucus lessens the ability to trap germs and fight illness<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips For Going Outside If You\u2019re Already Sick<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you want to brave the cold outdoor weather and you are already sick, there are things you can do to prevent symptoms from worsening. Below, you\u2019ll find a few quick tips to keep you healthy in the cold: <\/p>\n\n\n\n