Walking out with wet hair in the cold time - does that make us sick?

Do you actually get sick faster if you go out with wet hair in cold weather??

Stress and hecticness determine the everyday life of many people. Some do not even find the time to blow-dry their hair after showering. Especially in winter that feels uncomfortable. In addition, it should make you sick, if you go out in the cold with wet hair. Is that true??

Health myths from grandmother's time

"Vitamin C prevents colds", "On cold soils, the bladder can catch cold": Such and similar medical myths from Grandma's time are widespread. Some agree, some do not and for one part there is no clear evidence or unequivocal refutations. Also, the assumption that you get sick when you leave the house with wet hair is widespread.

It is often said that you get sick faster when you go out with wet hair in the cold. Is that true? (Image: Piotr Marcinski / fotolia.com)

Not with wet hair in the cold

"Blow your hair, or you'll get yourself killed": Such and similar sayings often come when you do not have enough time and after showering with wet hair out in the cold.

At least one cap should then be worn, because according to the popular saying, a cold head can be a real disease.

If one does not do this and gets an infection in the freezing cold, one also gets to hear that one is to blame for his cough, cold and fever.

But is it really true that you get sick if you walk out with wet hair? Stephan Bernhardt from the family doctors association Berlin and Brandenburg says that you have to answer the question with Jein.

Body constantly battles against bacteria

"You do not get sick with wet hair, but with bacteria," said the doctor, according to a message from the news agency dpa.

Bernhardt explained that the body is constantly fighting against bacteria and thus protects us from diseases. For example, freezing for wet hair makes it harder for the body to fight off all bacteria.

Even cold feet increase the risk that pathogens can be less well-controlled.

If the defense system is strong enough, then the bacteria have no chance even with wet hair. According to the experts, it is a habituation thing, because those who often go out with wet hair, gets used to his body that he loses heat over his head.

As Bernhardt said, it also depends a bit on what one talks to: "Who thinks firmly of a cold, if he goes out with wet hair, also gets one."

Respiratory system more prone to cold air

The president of the German Society for General Medicine and Family Medicine, Erika Baum, explained in the dpa report that the upper airways in cold air have been shown to be more susceptible.

According to the expert, for example, the defense mechanism of the cilia is affected by cold and dry air.

In addition, especially children over the head could cool down quite quickly, as he is hairy in them relatively large and thin.

Baum also noted that cold or wet feet have been shown to cause bladder infections.

Lots of exercise and warm foot baths can help against ice feet.

Various factors play a role

According to Silke Buda of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), many seasonal factors influence the spread of respiratory diseases such as the flu and colds.

"Temperature, weather and humidity play a role, but not the decisive one."

Thus, for example, vaccination protection in the population, the novelty of a virus variant and also the immune system of the individual would have an influence.

Furthermore, most people spend the winter in closed, heated rooms, which can dry out the mucous membranes. In places where many people are staying, it is also more likely to get infected.

Protect against infections

Therefore, healthy people should keep their distance from the infected and those infected should not spread the virus.

It is important for both groups to wash their hands frequently. In addition, it makes sense to strengthen the immune system to prevent diseases such as influenza.

A flu infection, the "simple" cold can be caught several times a year.

The symptoms start slowly and fade away after a few days. This is a known difference between cold and flu. The latter occurs quite suddenly. (Ad)