You’ve probably heard this a million times from your mom or grandma: “Don’t go outside with wet hair, you’ll catch a cold!”
Going outside with wet hair won’t make you sick
Now that cold and flu season is in full swing, this little piece of “conventional wisdom” might be always on your mind. But according to one doctor, it’s nothing more than an old wives’ tale.
There’s actually ZERO scientific proof that heading out with damp hair on a chilly day will leave you sneezing.
Your hair isn’t the problem, it’s the virus
Dr. Christopher Choi, a board-certified internist in Las Vegas, added: “The belief that you can catch a cold by going outside with wet hair is a myth.”
“Wet hair does not directly have any bearing on catching a cold,” he explains. “A cold is caused by viruses, typically rhinovirus.”
Cold weather alone won’t make you sick
So yeah, stepping out with damp hair might make you feel cold—but it’s not going to give you one.
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So what does cause colds? Rhinoviruses. These viruses cause about 50% to 70% of cases.
Sudden weather shifts can mess with your health
Now, when it gets freezing outside, layering up might make you feel warm and cozy, but it won’t keep you safe from the viruses and germs that actually make people sick.
Here’s how you actually catch a cold
Funny enough, a lot of experts think more people catch colds in the winter not because of the cold itself, but because everyone’s stuck indoors, breathing the same germy air. Plus, cold weather can dry out your nose, which makes it harder for your body to fight off infections.
But then some people swear they always end up sick because of the whole wet hair thing
Here’s something interesting: While cold weather won’t directly make you sick, sudden changes in temperature can mess with certain health conditions.
Choi explains that while wet hair itself won’t give you a cold, it can make your body temperature drop slightly, which might play a tiny role in getting sick.
Cold weather may help viruses multiply
Research shows that big shifts between warm and cold can trigger migraines, make asthma worse, and even mess with your sleep.
So how do rhinoviruses actually spread?
According to Dr. Choi, there are two main ways: breathing in droplets from someone who’s sick and coughs near you, or touching a germy surface (because these viruses can live for hours!) and then rubbing your face.
Cold air weakens your defense system
When you’re out in the cold, the blood vessels in your nose tighten up. And since colds typically enter through the nose, that means your defenses are down, making it even easier for rhinoviruses to sneak in.
Want to dodge a cold? Here’s some simple stuff that actually works!
- Wash your hands
- Avoid touching your face
- Stay away from sick people
- Stay warm (it helps make your immune system function better)
- Clean and disinfect